What is democracy in Brazil?

Democracy in Brazil was 2 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest democracy recorded in Brazil?

The highest recorded value was 2 in 1946.

What is the lowest democracy recorded in Brazil?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1824.

How does Brazil rank for democracy?

Brazil ranks 1st out of 167 countries with data for 2018.

Is democracy rising or falling in Brazil?

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

Where does this Brazil data come from?

The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Democracy in Brazil

Name: Democracy in Brazil
Creator: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Brazil: Democracy was 2 in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

1st

of 167 countries

All-time high

in 1946

All-time low

in 1824

Years of data

195

1824–2018

Democracy in Brazil, 1824–2018

Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for democracy in Brazil is 2, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 195 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, democracy in Brazil peaked at 2 in 1946 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1824.

Brazil ranks 1st of 167 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
1820s	0	0	0	6
1830s	0	0	0	10
1840s	0	0	0	10
1850s	0	0	0	10
1860s	0	0	0	10
1870s	0	0	0	10
1880s	0.1	0	1	10
1890s	1	1	1	10
1900s	1	1	1	10
1910s	1	1	1	10
1920s	1	1	1	10
1930s	0.2	0	1	10
1940s	0.6	0	2	10
1950s	1.2	1	2	10
1960s	0.6	0	2	10
1970s	0.6	0	1	10
1980s	1.5	1	2	10
1990s	2	2	2	10
2000s	2	2	2	10
2010s	2	2	2	9

Countries ranked near Brazil

See the full ranking of 168 places →

More reference data data for Brazil

Spring temperature anomalies 0.2659 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies -0.0006 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 0.0351 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 0.3721 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.1099 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 234.41 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for Brazil →

Frequently asked questions

What is democracy in Brazil?: Democracy in Brazil was 2 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest democracy recorded in Brazil?: The highest recorded value was 2 in 1946.
What is the lowest democracy recorded in Brazil?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1824.
How does Brazil rank for democracy?: Brazil ranks 1st out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
Is democracy rising or falling in Brazil?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Brazil data come from?: The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 195 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Democracy
Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 168 places, 18,392 data points, 1776–2020
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Identifies the political regime of a country using the Polity 5 data by the Center for Systemic Peace. It distinguishes between autocracies (score 0), anocracies (score 1), and democracies (score 2).