United Kingdom Voice and Accountability
Voice and Accountability VA.EST
United Kingdom's voice and accountability was 1.27 in 2025, ranked 20th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's voice and accountability stood at 1.27 in 2025, a rise of +0.00 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.27 by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 20th globally.
The United Kingdom’s Voice and Accountability score on the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators has shown modest fluctuation over the 26‑year series, moving from an early‑period value of 1.27 in 1996 to a slight decline of 1.20 in the all‑time trough of 1998 before reaching the highest reading of 1.60 in 2004, the year that marked the peak of public confidence in institutional responsiveness. By 2025 the index stands at 1.26, placing the United Kingdom 20th globally and closely aligned with Portugal’s 1.25 and San Marino’s 1.28, indicating a convergence with other advanced democracies that score in the mid‑range of the scale. The post‑peak period has been characterised by a gradual erosion of the earlier gains, suggesting that structural reforms in media freedom and civil society engagement will be pivotal if the United Kingdom is to reverse the modest downward drift and sustain higher accountability levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Voice and Accountability | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.27 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.27 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.27 | +0.00 | #20 |
| 2023 | 1.26 | +0.00 | #19 |
| 2022 | 1.26 | −0.01 | #19 |
| 2021 | 1.26 | +0.03 | #19 |
| 2020 | 1.23 | −0.03 | #21 |
| 2019 | 1.26 | −0.12 | #17 |
| 2018 | 1.38 | +0.02 | #14 |
| 2017 | 1.36 | +0.07 | #14 |
| 2016 | 1.30 | −0.00 | #15 |
| 2015 | 1.30 | +0.02 | #17 |
| 2014 | 1.28 | −0.05 | #19 |
| 2013 | 1.33 | −0.01 | #17 |
| 2012 | 1.34 | +0.04 | #17 |
| 2011 | 1.30 | +0.01 | #18 |
| 2010 | 1.29 | −0.01 | #18 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw voice and accountability improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's voice and accountability was 1.27 in 2025. Ranked 20th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
United Kingdom's voice and accountability peaked at 1.60 in 2004.
The lowest voice and accountability in United Kingdom was 1.20 in 1998.
United Kingdom ranks 20th globally in voice and accountability as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is VA.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United Kingdom's voice and accountability is projected to reach 1.27 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The voice and accountability of United Kingdom in 2025 was 1.27. This ranks 20th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_voice-accountability,
title = {United Kingdom Voice and Accountability},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/voice-accountability/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}