United States Voice and Accountability
Voice and Accountability VA.EST
United States's voice and accountability was 0.85 in 2025, ranked 50th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United States's voice and accountability stood at 0.85 in 2025, a decline of +0.02 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.85 by 2025. United States ranked 50th globally.
The United States’ Voice and Accountability score, which gauges citizens’ ability to express opinions and participate in governance, has slipped from its 1996 peak of 1.35 to a 2025 value of 0.85, placing the country at 50th in the global ranking. This decline, observed over a 26‑year coverage period, marks the all‑time trough for the indicator and signals a contraction in perceived freedoms compared with earlier decades when the United States ranked among the higher‑scoring OECD members. By contrast, peer nations such as Malta (0.90) and the Slovak Republic (0.93) maintain scores above the United States, reflecting comparatively stronger recent performance in civil liberties and political participation. The downward trajectory aligns with broader democratic backsliding trends identified in several advanced economies during the 2020s. If legislative reforms and institutional safeguards are reinforced, the United States could stabilize or modestly improve its Voice and Accountability rating in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Voice and Accountability | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.85 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.85 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.85 | −0.02 | #50 |
| 2023 | 0.88 | +0.02 | #47 |
| 2022 | 0.86 | −0.02 | #50 |
| 2021 | 0.88 | +0.02 | #49 |
| 2020 | 0.86 | −0.05 | #52 |
| 2019 | 0.91 | −0.09 | #43 |
| 2018 | 1.00 | −0.01 | #38 |
| 2017 | 1.01 | −0.10 | #36 |
| 2016 | 1.11 | +0.00 | #31 |
| 2015 | 1.11 | +0.04 | #31 |
| 2014 | 1.07 | −0.03 | #36 |
| 2013 | 1.10 | −0.06 | #32 |
| 2012 | 1.16 | +0.03 | #25 |
| 2011 | 1.13 | −0.01 | #28 |
| 2010 | 1.13 | +0.04 | #30 |
Analysis
United States's voice and accountability was 0.85 in 2025, a decline of −0.02 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 0.85 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's voice and accountability was 0.85 in 2025. Ranked 50th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year.
United States's voice and accountability peaked at 1.35 in 1996.
The lowest voice and accountability in United States was 0.85 in 2025.
United States ranks 50th globally in voice and accountability as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is VA.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United States's voice and accountability is projected to reach 0.85 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The voice and accountability of United States in 2025 was 0.85. This ranks 50th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_voice-accountability,
title = {United States Voice and Accountability},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/voice-accountability/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}