What is strong elected local governments index in Australia?

Strong elected local governments index in Australia was 0.996 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest strong elected local governments index recorded in Australia?

The highest recorded value was 0.996 in 2013.

What is the lowest strong elected local governments index recorded in Australia?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1789.

How does Australia rank for strong elected local governments index?

Australia ranks 2nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.

Is strong elected local governments index rising or falling in Australia?

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

Where does this Australia data come from?

The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Strong Elected Local Governments Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Strong Elected Local Governments Index in Australia

Name: Strong Elected Local Governments Index in Australia
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Australia: Strong Elected Local Governments Index was 0.996 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.996

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

2nd

of 175 countries

All-time high

0.996

in 2013

All-time low

in 1789

Years of data

234

1789–2025

Strong Elected Local Governments Index in Australia, 1789–2025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2025, strong elected local governments index in Australia stood at 0.996. That is the highest value across all 234 years on record.

The figure is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, strong elected local governments index in Australia peaked at 0.996 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1789.

That places Australia 2nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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
1780s	0	0	0	1
1790s	0	0	0	10
1800s	0	0	0	10
1810s	0	0	0	7
1820s	0.0125	0	0.125	10
1830s	0.125	0.125	0.125	10
1840s	0.1726	0.125	0.244	10
1850s	0.5382	0.244	0.995	10
1860s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1870s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1880s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1890s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1900s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1910s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1920s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1930s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1940s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1950s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1960s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1970s	0.995	0.995	0.995	10
1980s	0.9743	0.972	0.995	10
1990s	0.9856	0.972	0.989	10
2000s	0.989	0.989	0.989	10
2010s	0.9939	0.989	0.996	10
2020s	0.996	0.996	0.996	6

Countries ranked near Australia

1 Switzerland 0.997 compare
3 Iceland 0.995 compare
3 Italy 0.995 compare
3 Mexico 0.995 compare
3 Spain 0.995 compare

See the full ranking of 175 places →

More reference data data for Australia

Spring temperature anomalies -0.4864 °C (2026)
Summer temperature anomalies 0.8615 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 1.13 °C (2026)
Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
Autumn temperature anomalies 0.0026 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.4713 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 148.46 2010 = 100 (2025)
Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Competitive elections 1 (2025)
Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is strong elected local governments index in Australia?: Strong elected local governments index in Australia was 0.996 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest strong elected local governments index recorded in Australia?: The highest recorded value was 0.996 in 2013.
What is the lowest strong elected local governments index recorded in Australia?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1789.
How does Australia rank for strong elected local governments index?: Australia ranks 2nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
Is strong elected local governments index rising or falling in Australia?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Australia data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Strong Elected Local Governments Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 234 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Strong Elected Local Governments Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 175 places, 25,933 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which elected local governments exist, and they operate without interference from local unelected bodies.