What is the highest centralization of political power index recorded in Switzerland?

The highest recorded value was 0.315 in 1804.

What is the lowest centralization of political power index recorded in Switzerland?

The lowest recorded value was 0.017 in 1981.

How does Switzerland rank for centralization of political power index?

Switzerland ranks 171st out of 173 countries with data for 2025.

Is centralization of political power index rising or falling in Switzerland?

Over the last ten years it is up 5.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Switzerland data come from?

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

Centralization of Political Power Index in Switzerland

Name: Centralization of Political Power Index in Switzerland
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Switzerland: Centralization of Political Power Index was 0.019 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.019

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

171st

of 173 countries

All-time high

0.315

in 1804

All-time low

0.017

in 1981

Years of data

228

1798–2025

Centralization of Political Power Index in Switzerland, 1798–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for centralization of political power index in Switzerland is 0.019, measured in 2025.

The figure is up 5.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, centralization of political power index in Switzerland peaked at 0.315 in 1804 and was at its lowest, 0.017, in 1981.

Switzerland ranks 171st of 173 countries on this measure, in the bottom 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
1790s	0.23	0.23	0.23	2
1800s	0.281	0.23	0.315	10
1810s	0.315	0.315	0.315	10
1820s	0.315	0.315	0.315	10
1830s	0.315	0.315	0.315	10
1840s	0.28	0.14	0.315	10
1850s	0.14	0.14	0.14	10
1860s	0.14	0.14	0.14	10
1870s	0.0795	0.019	0.14	10
1880s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1890s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1900s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1910s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1920s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1930s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1940s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1950s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1960s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1970s	0.019	0.019	0.019	10
1980s	0.0173	0.017	0.02	10
1990s	0.017	0.017	0.017	10
2000s	0.0177	0.017	0.018	10
2010s	0.0177	0.017	0.018	10
2020s	0.021	0.019	0.022	6

Countries ranked near Switzerland

168 Finland 0.024 compare
169 Sweden 0.023 compare
170 New Zealand 0.02 compare
172 Denmark 0.012 compare
173 Australia 0.01 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More reference data data for Switzerland

Spring temperature anomalies 0.468 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 3.26 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month -0.0171 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 0.4612 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 2.37 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 105.67 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for Switzerland →

Frequently asked questions

What is centralization of political power index in Switzerland?: Centralization of political power index in Switzerland was 0.019 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest centralization of political power index recorded in Switzerland?: The highest recorded value was 0.315 in 1804.
What is the lowest centralization of political power index recorded in Switzerland?: The lowest recorded value was 0.017 in 1981.
How does Switzerland rank for centralization of political power index?: Switzerland ranks 171st out of 173 countries with data for 2025.
Is centralization of political power index rising or falling in Switzerland?: Over the last ten years it is up 5.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Switzerland data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Centralization of Political Power Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 228 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Centralization of Political Power Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 176 places, 29,802 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which the executive is unconstrained by the legislature, judiciary, electoral management body, and other oversight.