What is political polarization score in South Africa?

Political polarization score in South Africa was -0.126 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest political polarization score recorded in South Africa?

The highest recorded value was 2.92 in 1948.

What is the lowest political polarization score recorded in South Africa?

The lowest recorded value was -0.404 in 1995.

How does South Africa rank for political polarization score?

South Africa ranks 99th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is political polarization score rising or falling in South Africa?

Over the last ten years it is down 186.9%. 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 Political Polarization Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Political Polarization Score in South Africa

Name: Political Polarization Score in South Africa
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

South Africa: Political Polarization Score was -0.126 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

-0.126

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

99th

of 174 countries

All-time high

2.92

in 1948

All-time low

-0.404

in 1995

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Political Polarization Score in South Africa, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for political polarization score in South Africa is -0.126, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of down 186.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, political polarization score in South Africa peaked at 2.92 in 1948 and was at its lowest, -0.404, in 1995.

South Africa ranks 99th of 174 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.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	1.38	1.38	1.38	10
1910s	1.01	0.964	1.38	10
1920s	0.964	0.964	0.964	10
1930s	0.964	0.964	0.964	10
1940s	1.36	0.964	2.92	10
1950s	2.92	2.92	2.92	10
1960s	2.92	2.92	2.92	10
1970s	2.92	2.92	2.92	10
1980s	2.92	2.92	2.92	10
1990s	0.5209	-0.404	2.2	10
2000s	0.006	0.006	0.006	10
2010s	0.1172	0.006	0.145	10
2020s	0.1672	-0.126	0.319	6

Countries ranked near South Africa

96 Spain -0.092 compare
97 Tanzania -0.095 compare
98 China -0.11 compare
100 Czechia -0.131 compare
101 Senegal -0.143 compare
102 Zambia -0.195 compare

See the full ranking of 174 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 political polarization score in South Africa?: Political polarization score in South Africa was -0.126 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest political polarization score recorded in South Africa?: The highest recorded value was 2.92 in 1948.
What is the lowest political polarization score recorded in South Africa?: The lowest recorded value was -0.404 in 1995.
How does South Africa rank for political polarization score?: South Africa ranks 99th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is political polarization score rising or falling in South Africa?: Over the last ten years it is down 186.9%. 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 Political Polarization Score. 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: Political Polarization Score
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 174 places, 20,575 data points, 1900–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which society is divided into hostile political camps, where political differences undermine social relationships and discourage interaction across ideological lines.