Institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Institutionalized autocracy was 2 in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe, 1970–2011
Source: Center for Systemic Peace, www.systemicpeace.org/polity/polity4.htm.
Analysis
In 2011, institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe stood at 2.
That represents a change of down 60.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe peaked at 6 in 1987 and was at its lowest, -88, in 1979.
Zimbabwe ranks 14th of 51 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3 | — |
| 1971 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | -88 | -3033.3% |
| 1980 | 1 | -101.1% |
| 1981 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 2 | +100.0% |
| 1984 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 6 | +200.0% |
| 1988 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 4 | -33.3% |
| 2000 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 5 | +25.0% |
| 2002 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 2 | -60.0% |
| 2010 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 2 | +0.0% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 2 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1, 2.0× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 2 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1, 2.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | -6.1 | -88 | 3 | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.9 | 1 | 6 | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.8 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.6 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
- 14 Burkina Faso 2 compare
- 14 Central African Republic 2 compare
- 14 Egypt 2 compare
- 14 Ethiopia 2 compare
- 14 Mauritania 2 compare
- 14 Uganda 2 compare
More reference data data for Zimbabwe
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 58,959 (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 (2024)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 122.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe?
- Institutionalized autocracy in Zimbabwe was 2 in 2011, according to Center for Systemic Peace, www.systemicpeace.org/polity/polity4.htm.
- What is the highest institutionalized autocracy recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 6 in 1987.
- What is the lowest institutionalized autocracy recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was -88 in 1979.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for institutionalized autocracy?
- Zimbabwe ranks 14th out of 51 countries with data for 2011.
- Is institutionalized autocracy rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 60.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from Center for Systemic Peace, www.systemicpeace.org/polity/polity4.htm, published as part of Institutionalized autocracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Democracy is conceived as three essential, interdependent elements. One is the presence of institutions and procedures through which citizens can express effective preferences about alternative policies and leaders. Second is the existence of institutionalized constraints on the exercise of power by the executive. Third is the guarantee of civil liberties to all citizens in their daily lives and in acts of political participation. Other aspects of plural democracy, such as the rule of law, systems of checks and balances, freedom of the press, and so on are means to, or specific manifestations of, these general principles. We do not include coded data on civil liberties.