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.
Basic State Functions Score in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8.5 | — |
| 2007 | 8.5 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 7.5 | -11.8% |
| 2011 | 7.5 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 7 | -6.7% |
| 2015 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 7.5 | +7.1% |
| 2019 | 7.5 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 7.5 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 6 | -20.0% |
| 2025 | 6 | +0.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 7.5, 80% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6, 1.0× the median. (39 countries reporting)
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
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
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).