What is equal access to power index in South Africa?

Equal access to power index in South Africa was 0.736 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest equal access to power index recorded in South Africa?

The highest recorded value was 0.792 in 2019.

What is the lowest equal access to power index recorded in South Africa?

The lowest recorded value was 0.055 in 1900.

How does South Africa rank for equal access to power index?

South Africa ranks 71st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is equal access to power index rising or falling in South Africa?

Over the last ten years it is down 3.9%. 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 Equal Access to Power Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Equal Access to Power Index in South Africa

Name: Equal Access to Power Index in South Africa
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

South Africa: Equal Access to Power Index was 0.736 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.736

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

71st

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.792

in 2019

All-time low

0.055

in 1900

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Equal Access to Power Index in South Africa, 1900–2025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for equal access to power index in South Africa is 0.736, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, equal access to power index in South Africa peaked at 0.792 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0.055, in 1900.

That places South Africa 71st out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.

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	0.055	0.055	0.055	10
1910s	0.055	0.055	0.055	10
1920s	0.0646	0.055	0.079	10
1930s	0.0961	0.079	0.098	10
1940s	0.0928	0.064	0.098	10
1950s	0.089	0.089	0.089	10
1960s	0.089	0.089	0.089	10
1970s	0.089	0.089	0.089	10
1980s	0.1015	0.089	0.114	10
1990s	0.4854	0.114	0.748	10
2000s	0.7438	0.719	0.759	10
2010s	0.7682	0.758	0.792	10
2020s	0.74	0.715	0.762	6

Countries ranked near South Africa

69 Belarus 0.738 compare
69 Portugal 0.738 compare
72 Guatemala 0.727 compare
73 Slovakia 0.72 compare
74 Gambia 0.718 compare
74 Seychelles 0.718 compare

See the full ranking of 176 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 equal access to power index in South Africa?: Equal access to power index in South Africa was 0.736 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest equal access to power index recorded in South Africa?: The highest recorded value was 0.792 in 2019.
What is the lowest equal access to power index recorded in South Africa?: The lowest recorded value was 0.055 in 1900.
How does South Africa rank for equal access to power index?: South Africa ranks 71st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is equal access to power index rising or falling in South Africa?: Over the last ten years it is down 3.9%. 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 Equal Access to Power Index. 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

Indicator: Equal Access to Power Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 176 places, 30,486 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which access to power is equal across socioeconomic position, social group, and gender.