Respect for Counterarguments Score in South Africa
South Africa: Respect for Counterarguments Score was 1.59 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Respect for Counterarguments Score in South Africa, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.59 for respect for counterarguments score in 2025.
That represents a change of down 20.9% on the previous year and up 53.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, respect for counterarguments score in South Africa peaked at 2.01 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.258, in 1900.
That places South Africa 20th out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
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 | 0.258 | 0.258 | 0.258 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.4866 | 0.258 | 0.512 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.512 | 0.512 | 0.512 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.512 | 0.512 | 0.512 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.4902 | 0.403 | 0.512 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.3918 | 0.291 | 0.403 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.291 | 0.291 | 0.291 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.291 | 0.291 | 0.291 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.3998 | 0.291 | 0.689 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.25 | 0.788 | 1.64 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.45 | 1.41 | 1.45 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.17 | 1.04 | 1.35 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.47 | 1.24 | 2.01 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is respect for counterarguments score in South Africa?
- Respect for counterarguments score in South Africa was 1.59 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest respect for counterarguments score recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.01 in 2024.
- What is the lowest respect for counterarguments score recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.258 in 1900.
- How does South Africa rank for respect for counterarguments score?
- South Africa ranks 20th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is respect for counterarguments score rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.1%. 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 Respect for Counterarguments Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which political elites acknowledge and respect counterarguments when considering important policy changes.