What is free and fair elections index in United States?

Free and fair elections index in United States was 0.902 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest free and fair elections index recorded in United States?

The highest recorded value was 0.945 in 2013.

What is the lowest free and fair elections index recorded in United States?

The lowest recorded value was 0.127 in 1877.

How does United States rank for free and fair elections index?

United States ranks 36th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is free and fair elections index rising or falling in United States?

Over the last ten years it is down 4.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this United States data come from?

The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Free and Fair Elections Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Free and Fair Elections Index in United States

Name: Free and Fair Elections Index in United States
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

United States: Free and Fair Elections Index was 0.902 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.902

Change on year

up 0.2%

World rank

36th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.945

in 2013

All-time low

0.127

in 1877

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Free and Fair Elections Index in United States, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

United States recorded 0.902 for free and fair elections index in 2025.

That represents a change of up 0.2% on the previous year and down 4.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, free and fair elections index in United States peaked at 0.945 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0.127, in 1877.

That places United States 36th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 237 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1780s	0.371	0.371	0.371	1
1790s	0.3757	0.369	0.381	10
1800s	0.3723	0.371	0.376	10
1810s	0.3744	0.366	0.381	10
1820s	0.3333	0.326	0.355	10
1830s	0.3745	0.354	0.378	10
1840s	0.2498	0.21	0.32	10
1850s	0.2055	0.196	0.215	10
1860s	0.2106	0.2	0.222	10
1870s	0.1545	0.127	0.186	10
1880s	0.1476	0.128	0.158	10
1890s	0.3011	0.133	0.507	10
1900s	0.5227	0.509	0.53	10
1910s	0.5397	0.522	0.547	10
1920s	0.5365	0.515	0.548	10
1930s	0.5581	0.543	0.57	10
1940s	0.62	0.598	0.652	10
1950s	0.6771	0.622	0.688	10
1960s	0.732	0.689	0.758	10
1970s	0.8084	0.747	0.856	10
1980s	0.8788	0.869	0.883	10
1990s	0.891	0.882	0.896	10
2000s	0.8875	0.822	0.943	10
2010s	0.9177	0.863	0.945	10
2020s	0.871	0.827	0.905	6

Countries ranked near United States

33 Sri Lanka 0.914 compare
34 Cyprus 0.909 compare
37 Jamaica 0.884 compare
37 Seychelles 0.884 compare
39 Lithuania 0.882 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More reference data data for United States

Spring temperature anomalies 2.51 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is free and fair elections index in United States?: Free and fair elections index in United States was 0.902 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest free and fair elections index recorded in United States?: The highest recorded value was 0.945 in 2013.
What is the lowest free and fair elections index recorded in United States?: The lowest recorded value was 0.127 in 1877.
How does United States rank for free and fair elections index?: United States ranks 36th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is free and fair elections index rising or falling in United States?: Over the last ten years it is down 4.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United States data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Free and Fair Elections Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 237 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Free and Fair Elections Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 176 places, 30,402 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which registration fraud, systematic irregularities, government intimidation of the opposition, vote buying, and election violence are absent, and the election management body is autonomous and has enough staff and resources.