How does Japan rank for competitiveness of executive recruitment score?

Japan ranks 1st out of 166 countries with data for 2018.

Is competitiveness of executive recruitment score rising or falling in Japan?

Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Japan data come from?

The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score in Japan

Name: Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score in Japan
Creator: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Japan: Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score was 3 in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

1st

of 166 countries

All-time high

in 1952

All-time low

in 1800

Years of data

202

1800–2018

Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score in Japan, 1800–2018

Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for competitiveness of executive recruitment score in Japan is 3, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 202 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, competitiveness of executive recruitment score in Japan peaked at 3 in 1952 and was at its lowest, 1, in 1800.

Japan ranks 1st of 166 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1800s	1	1	1	10
1810s	1	1	1	10
1820s	1	1	1	10
1830s	1	1	1	10
1840s	1	1	1	10
1850s	1	1	1	8
1860s	1	1	1	2
1870s	1	1	1	10
1880s	1	1	1	10
1890s	1	1	1	10
1900s	1	1	1	10
1910s	1	1	1	10
1920s	1	1	1	10
1930s	1	1	1	10
1940s	1	1	1	5
1950s	3	3	3	8
1960s	3	3	3	10
1970s	3	3	3	10
1980s	3	3	3	10
1990s	3	3	3	10
2000s	3	3	3	10
2010s	3	3	3	9

Countries ranked near Japan

See the full ranking of 167 places →

More reference data data for Japan

Temperature anomalies by month -0.7172 °C (2026)
Spring temperature anomalies 1.24 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 0.1053 °C (2026)
Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
Civil liberties rating 1 (2025)
Free country 2 (2025)
Democracy 7 (2025)
Consumer price index 118.04 2010 = 100 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 1.9 °C (2025)

All data for Japan →

Frequently asked questions

What is competitiveness of executive recruitment score in Japan?: Competitiveness of executive recruitment score in Japan was 3 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest competitiveness of executive recruitment score recorded in Japan?: The highest recorded value was 3 in 1952.
What is the lowest competitiveness of executive recruitment score recorded in Japan?: The lowest recorded value was 1 in 1800.
How does Japan rank for competitiveness of executive recruitment score?: Japan ranks 1st out of 166 countries with data for 2018.
Is competitiveness of executive recruitment score rising or falling in Japan?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Japan data come from?: The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 202 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Competitiveness of Executive Recruitment Score
Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 167 places, 17,813 data points, 1789–2020
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Indicates the extent to which executive recruitment is competitive. It ranges from executive power being seized (score of 0), over the executive being selected by elites (score of 1), and dual selection-election or transitional arrangements (score of 2), to the executive being elected (score of 4).