What is democracy in Sweden?

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

What is the highest democracy recorded in Sweden?

The highest recorded value was 2 in 1914.

What is the lowest democracy recorded in Sweden?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1800.

How does Sweden rank for democracy?

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

Is democracy rising or falling in Sweden?

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

Where does this Sweden 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 Sweden

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

Sweden: Democracy was 2 in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

1st

of 167 countries

All-time high

in 1914

All-time low

in 1800

Years of data

219

1800–2018

Democracy in Sweden, 1800–2018

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

Analysis

In 2018, democracy in Sweden stood at 2. That is the highest value across all 219 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, democracy in Sweden peaked at 2 in 1914 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1800.

Sweden 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	10
1810s	0	0	0	10
1820s	0	0	0	10
1830s	0	0	0	10
1840s	0	0	0	10
1850s	0.5	0	1	10
1860s	1	1	1	10
1870s	1	1	1	10
1880s	1	1	1	10
1890s	1	1	1	10
1900s	1	1	1	10
1910s	1.6	1	2	10
1920s	2	2	2	10
1930s	2	2	2	10
1940s	2	2	2	10
1950s	2	2	2	10
1960s	2	2	2	10
1970s	2	2	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 Sweden

See the full ranking of 168 places →

More reference data data for Sweden

Spring temperature anomalies 4.22 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 1.58 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month -3.74 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 2.27 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 3.13 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 138.19 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for Sweden →

Frequently asked questions

What is democracy in Sweden?: Democracy in Sweden was 2 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest democracy recorded in Sweden?: The highest recorded value was 2 in 1914.
What is the lowest democracy recorded in Sweden?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1800.
How does Sweden rank for democracy?: Sweden ranks 1st out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
Is democracy rising or falling in Sweden?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Sweden 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 — 219 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).