What is constraints on the executive score in South Africa?

Constraints on the executive score in South Africa was 7 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest constraints on the executive score recorded in South Africa?

The highest recorded value was 7 in 1910.

What is the lowest constraints on the executive score recorded in South Africa?

The lowest recorded value was 7 in 1910.

How does South Africa rank for constraints on the executive score?

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

Is constraints on the executive score rising or falling in South Africa?

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

Where does this South Africa data come from?

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

Constraints on the Executive Score in South Africa

Name: Constraints on the Executive Score in South Africa
Creator: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

South Africa: Constraints on the Executive Score was 7 in 2018. ▬ Flat

Latest (2018)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

1st

of 166 countries

All-time high

in 1910

All-time low

in 1910

Years of data

107

1910–2018

Constraints on the Executive Score in South Africa, 1910–2018

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for constraints on the executive score in South Africa is 7, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 107 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, constraints on the executive score in South Africa peaked at 7 in 1910 and was at its lowest, 7, in 1910.

That places South Africa 1st out of 166 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1910s	7	7	7	10
1920s	7	7	7	10
1930s	7	7	7	10
1940s	7	7	7	10
1950s	7	7	7	10
1960s	7	7	7	10
1970s	7	7	7	10
1980s	7	7	7	10
1990s	7	7	7	8
2000s	7	7	7	10
2010s	7	7	7	9

Countries ranked near South Africa

See the full ranking of 167 places →

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)

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is constraints on the executive score in South Africa?: Constraints on the executive score in South Africa was 7 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest constraints on the executive score recorded in South Africa?: The highest recorded value was 7 in 1910.
What is the lowest constraints on the executive score recorded in South Africa?: The lowest recorded value was 7 in 1910.
How does South Africa rank for constraints on the executive score?: South Africa ranks 1st out of 166 countries with data for 2018.
Is constraints on the executive score rising or falling in South Africa?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?: The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Constraints on the Executive Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 107 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Constraints on the Executive 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 the executive is constrained. It ranges from unconstrained executives (score of 1), over slight or moderate constraints (score of 3), and substantial constraints (score of 5), to an executive that is subordinated to or on par with other authorities (score of 7). The remaining categories are intermediate ones.