Basic State Functions Score in South Africa
South Africa: Basic State Functions Score was 6 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Basic State Functions Score in South Africa, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for basic state functions score in South Africa is 6, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
That represents a change of down 14.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, basic state functions score in South Africa peaked at 8.5 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 6, in 2023.
That places South Africa 86th out of 128 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.17 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 3 |
| 2010s | 7.3 | 7 | 7.5 | 5 |
| 2020s | 6.5 | 6 | 7.5 | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is basic state functions score in South Africa?
- Basic state functions score in South Africa was 6 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest basic state functions score recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8.5 in 2005.
- What is the lowest basic state functions score recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6 in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for basic state functions score?
- South Africa ranks 86th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is basic state functions score rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Basic State Functions Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Indicates the extent to which the state has the monopoly on the use of force and provides basic public services across the country. It ranges from 1 to 10 (most functioning).