Private Civil Liberties Index in United States
United States: Private Civil Liberties Index was 0.832 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Private Civil Liberties Index in United States, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, private civil liberties index in United States stood at 0.832.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.3% on the previous year and down 10.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, private civil liberties index in United States peaked at 0.936 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 0.273, in 1838.
United States ranks 65th of 176 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 237 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.408 | 0.408 | 0.408 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.408 | 0.408 | 0.408 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.408 | 0.408 | 0.408 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.408 | 0.408 | 0.408 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.408 | 0.408 | 0.408 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.381 | 0.273 | 0.408 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.2831 | 0.273 | 0.374 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.374 | 0.374 | 0.374 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.543 | 0.374 | 0.636 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.636 | 0.636 | 0.636 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.6402 | 0.636 | 0.657 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.6574 | 0.657 | 0.658 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.658 | 0.658 | 0.658 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.6461 | 0.608 | 0.658 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.6506 | 0.629 | 0.656 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.6576 | 0.654 | 0.666 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.6319 | 0.594 | 0.704 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.7084 | 0.706 | 0.714 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.7426 | 0.714 | 0.813 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.883 | 0.855 | 0.912 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.9254 | 0.92 | 0.932 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.932 | 0.932 | 0.932 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.9312 | 0.929 | 0.936 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.9269 | 0.912 | 0.934 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.8928 | 0.832 | 0.915 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
- Spring temperature anomalies 2.51 °C (2026)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
- Democracy 7 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is private civil liberties index in United States?
- Private civil liberties index in United States was 0.832 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest private civil liberties index recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 0.936 in 2008.
- What is the lowest private civil liberties index recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.273 in 1838.
- How does United States rank for private civil liberties index?
- United States ranks 65th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is private civil liberties index rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Private Civil Liberties Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 237 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate the extent to which people are free from forced labor, have property rights, and enjoy freedom of movement and religion.