Democracy in Switzerland
Switzerland: Democracy was 7 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
7
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
1st
of 198 countries
All-time high
7
in 1971
All-time low
0
in 1798
Years of data
228
1798–2025
Democracy in Switzerland, 1798–2025
Source: Lexical Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 7 for democracy in 2025. That is the highest value across all 228 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, democracy in Switzerland peaked at 7 in 1971 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1798.
That places Switzerland 1st out of 198 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 228 years of available data.
Democracy in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1798 | 0 | — |
| 1799 | 0 | — |
| 1800 | 0 | — |
| 1801 | 0 | — |
| 1802 | 0 | — |
| 1803 | 0 | — |
| 1804 | 0 | — |
| 1805 | 0 | — |
| 1806 | 0 | — |
| 1807 | 0 | — |
| 1808 | 0 | — |
| 1809 | 0 | — |
| 1810 | 0 | — |
| 1811 | 0 | — |
| 1812 | 0 | — |
| 1813 | 0 | — |
| 1814 | 3 | — |
| 1815 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 5 | +66.7% |
| 1849 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1923 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1931 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1934 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 7 | +40.0% |
| 1972 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 7 | +0.0% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 7 is above the median for high income countries, which is 7, 1.0× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 7 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7, 1.0× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1790s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1800s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1810s | 1.8 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| 1820s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1830s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1840s | 3.4 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| 1850s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1860s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1870s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1880s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1890s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1900s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1910s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1920s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1930s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1940s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1950s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1960s | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.8 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| 1980s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| 1990s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| 2010s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| 2020s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
- 1 Andorra 7 compare
- 1 Antigua and Barbuda 7 compare
- 1 Argentina 7 compare
- 1 Australia 7 compare
- 1 Austria 7 compare
- 1 Bahamas 7 compare
- 1 Barbados 7 compare
- 1 Belgium 7 compare
- 1 Belize 7 compare
- 1 Brazil 7 compare
- 1 Bulgaria 7 compare
- 1 Canada 7 compare
- 1 Cape Verde 7 compare
- 1 Chile 7 compare
- 1 Costa Rica 7 compare
- 1 Croatia 7 compare
- 1 Cyprus 7 compare
- 1 Czechia 7 compare
- 1 Denmark 7 compare
- 1 Dominica 7 compare
- 1 Dominican Republic 7 compare
- 1 Estonia 7 compare
- 1 Fiji 7 compare
- 1 Finland 7 compare
- 1 France 7 compare
- 1 Germany 7 compare
- 1 Ghana 7 compare
- 1 Greece 7 compare
- 1 Grenada 7 compare
- 1 Guyana 7 compare
- 1 Iceland 7 compare
- 1 Ireland 7 compare
- 1 Italy 7 compare
- 1 Jamaica 7 compare
- 1 Japan 7 compare
- 1 Kiribati 7 compare
- 1 Latvia 7 compare
- 1 Lithuania 7 compare
- 1 Luxembourg 7 compare
- 1 Malta 7 compare
- 1 Marshall Islands 7 compare
- 1 Mauritius 7 compare
- 1 Micronesia (country) 7 compare
- 1 Mongolia 7 compare
- 1 Namibia 7 compare
- 1 Nauru 7 compare
- 1 Netherlands 7 compare
- 1 New Zealand 7 compare
- 1 Norway 7 compare
- 1 Palau 7 compare
- 1 Panama 7 compare
- 1 Papua New Guinea 7 compare
- 1 Poland 7 compare
- 1 Portugal 7 compare
- 1 Romania 7 compare
- 1 Saint Kitts and Nevis 7 compare
- 1 Saint Lucia 7 compare
- 1 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7 compare
- 1 Samoa 7 compare
- 1 San Marino 7 compare
- 1 Sao Tome and Principe 7 compare
- 1 Seychelles 7 compare
- 1 Slovenia 7 compare
- 1 South Africa 7 compare
- 1 South Korea 7 compare
- 1 Spain 7 compare
- 1 Suriname 7 compare
- 1 Sweden 7 compare
- 1 Taiwan 7 compare
- 1 Tonga 7 compare
- 1 Trinidad and Tobago 7 compare
- 1 Tuvalu 7 compare
- 1 United Kingdom 7 compare
- 1 United States 7 compare
- 1 Uruguay 7 compare
- 1 Vanuatu 7 compare
More public sector data for Switzerland
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is democracy in Switzerland?
- Democracy in Switzerland was 7 in 2025, according to Lexical Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest democracy recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 7 in 1971.
- What is the lowest democracy recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1798.
- How does Switzerland rank for democracy?
- Switzerland ranks 1st out of 198 countries with data for 2025.
- Is democracy rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Switzerland data come from?
- The figures come from Lexical Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 228 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Identifies the political regime of a country. It distinguishes between non-electoral autocracies (score 0), one-party autocracies (score 1), multi-party autocracies without elected executive (score 2), multi-party autocracies (score 3), exclusive democracies (score 4), male democracies (score 5), electoral democracies (score 6), and full democracies (score 7).