What is free and fair elections in South Africa?

Free and fair elections in South Africa was 1 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest free and fair elections recorded in South Africa?

The highest recorded value was 1 in 1994.

What is the lowest free and fair elections recorded in South Africa?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1910.

How does South Africa rank for free and fair elections?

South Africa ranks 1st out of 172 countries with data for 2025.

Is free and fair elections rising or falling in South Africa?

Over the last ten years it is unchanged. 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 Free and fair elections. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Free and fair elections in South Africa

Name: Free and fair elections in South Africa
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

South Africa: Free and fair elections was 1 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

1st

of 172 countries

All-time high

in 1994

All-time low

in 1910

Years of data

116

1910–2025

Free and fair elections in South Africa, 1910–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, free and fair elections in South Africa stood at 1. That is the highest value across all 116 years on record.

The figure is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, free and fair elections in South Africa peaked at 1 in 1994 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1910.

South Africa ranks 1st of 172 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1910s	0	0	0	10
1920s	0	0	0	10
1930s	0	0	0	10
1940s	0	0	0	10
1950s	0	0	0	10
1960s	0	0	0	10
1970s	0	0	0	10
1980s	0	0	0	10
1990s	0.6	0	1	10
2000s	1	1	1	10
2010s	1	1	1	10
2020s	1	1	1	6

Countries ranked near South Africa

See the full ranking of 172 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 free and fair elections in South Africa?: Free and fair elections in South Africa was 1 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest free and fair elections recorded in South Africa?: The highest recorded value was 1 in 1994.
What is the lowest free and fair elections recorded in South Africa?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1910.
How does South Africa rank for free and fair elections?: South Africa ranks 1st out of 172 countries with data for 2025.
Is free and fair elections rising or falling in South Africa?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. 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 Free and fair elections. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 116 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Free and fair elections
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 172 places, 17,000 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of whether national elections were free and fair or not.