Engaged Society Score in South Africa
South Africa: Engaged Society Score was 1.9 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Engaged Society Score in South Africa, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for engaged society score in South Africa is 1.9, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 28.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, engaged society score in South Africa peaked at 2.34 in 1995 and was at its lowest, -0.686, in 1948.
South Africa ranks 33rd of 176 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0.017 | 0.017 | 0.017 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.2943 | 0.189 | 0.306 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.306 | 0.306 | 0.306 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.306 | 0.306 | 0.306 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.1076 | -0.686 | 0.306 | 10 |
| 1950s | -0.686 | -0.686 | -0.686 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.686 | -0.686 | -0.686 | 10 |
| 1970s | -0.686 | -0.686 | -0.686 | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.392 | -0.392 | -0.392 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.66 | 0.791 | 2.34 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.88 | 1.83 | 1.89 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.62 | 1.48 | 1.83 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.85 | 1.78 | 1.9 | 6 |
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 engaged society score in South Africa?
- Engaged society score in South Africa was 1.9 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest engaged society score recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.34 in 1995.
- What is the lowest engaged society score recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.686 in 1948.
- How does South Africa rank for engaged society score?
- South Africa ranks 33rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is engaged society score rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Engaged Society Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which ordinary people independently discuss important policy changes among themselves, in the media, in associations or neighborhoods, or in the streets.