What is democracy in Portugal?

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

What is the highest democracy recorded in Portugal?

The highest recorded value was 2 in 1911.

What is the lowest democracy recorded in Portugal?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1800.

How does Portugal rank for democracy?

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

Is democracy rising or falling in Portugal?

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

Where does this Portugal 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 Portugal

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

Portugal: Democracy was 2 in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

1st

of 167 countries

All-time high

in 1911

All-time low

in 1800

Years of data

205

1800–2018

Democracy in Portugal, 1800–2018

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

Analysis

Portugal recorded 2 for democracy in 2018. That is the highest value across all 205 years on record.

The figure is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, democracy in Portugal peaked at 2 in 1911 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1800.

Portugal 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
1800s	0	0	0	6
1820s	1	1	1	10
1830s	1	1	1	10
1840s	1	1	1	10
1850s	0.5	0	1	10
1860s	0	0	0	10
1870s	0	0	0	10
1880s	1	1	1	10
1890s	1	1	1	10
1900s	0.9	0	1	10
1910s	1.9	1	2	10
1920s	1.5	0	2	10
1930s	0	0	0	10
1940s	0	0	0	10
1950s	0	0	0	10
1960s	0	0	0	10
1970s	1	0	2	10
1980s	2	2	2	10
1990s	2	2	2	10
2000s	2	2	2	10
2010s	2	2	2	9

Countries ranked near Portugal

See the full ranking of 168 places →

More reference data data for Portugal

Spring temperature anomalies 0.5537 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 2.05 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 0.3824 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies -0.3904 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.0004 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 132.05 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for Portugal →

Frequently asked questions

What is democracy in Portugal?: Democracy in Portugal was 2 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest democracy recorded in Portugal?: The highest recorded value was 2 in 1911.
What is the lowest democracy recorded in Portugal?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1800.
How does Portugal rank for democracy?: Portugal ranks 1st out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
Is democracy rising or falling in Portugal?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Portugal 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 — 205 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).