Stateness Index in South Africa
South Africa: Stateness Index was 7.5 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Stateness Index in South Africa, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 7.5 for stateness index in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, stateness index in South Africa peaked at 9 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 7.5, in 2023.
South Africa ranks 55th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.67 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | 7.95 | 7.75 | 8.25 | 5 |
| 2020s | 7.75 | 7.5 | 8.25 | 3 |
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 stateness index in South Africa?
- Stateness index in South Africa was 7.5 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest stateness index recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 9 in 2005.
- What is the lowest stateness index recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.5 in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for stateness index?
- South Africa ranks 55th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is stateness index rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Stateness Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Indicates the extent to which the state has the monopoly on the use of force, provides basic public services across the country, citizens accept the state as legitimate, religious dogmas do not interfere, and citizenship is accessible.