Democratic Features Index in Zambia
Zambia: Democratic Features Index was 6.1 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Democratic Features Index in Zambia, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 6.1 for democratic features index in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, democratic features index in Zambia peaked at 6.8 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 4.6, in 2021.
Zambia ranks 45th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Democratic Features Index in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6.5 | — |
| 2007 | 6.8 | +4.6% |
| 2009 | 6.65 | -2.2% |
| 2011 | 6.75 | +1.5% |
| 2013 | 6.4 | -5.2% |
| 2015 | 6.25 | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 6 | -4.0% |
| 2019 | 5.75 | -4.2% |
| 2021 | 4.6 | -20.0% |
| 2023 | 6.2 | +34.8% |
| 2025 | 6.1 | -1.6% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 6.1 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 4.43, 1.4× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 6.1 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.22, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6.65 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 3 |
| 2010s | 6.23 | 5.75 | 6.75 | 5 |
| 2020s | 5.63 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is democratic features index in Zambia?
- Democratic features index in Zambia was 6.1 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest democratic features index recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 6.8 in 2007.
- What is the lowest democratic features index recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.6 in 2021.
- How does Zambia rank for democratic features index?
- Zambia ranks 45th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is democratic features index rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Democratic Features Index. 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
Captures the extent of democratic features — political participation, rule of law, stable democratic institutions, political and social integration, and a capable state. It ranges from 1 to 10 (most democratic).