Which has higher freedom of expression index, Botswana or Sao Tome and Principe?

Botswana, at 0.798 against 0.793 in Sao Tome and Principe as of 2025.

How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and Sao Tome and Principe?

126 years are reported by both, from 1900 to 2025.

Where does this data come from?

V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Freedom of Expression Index. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Botswana vs Sao Tome and Principe: Freedom of Expression Index

Botswana

0.798

in 2025

Sao Tome and Principe

0.793

in 2025

Botswana rank

65th

Sao Tome and Principe rank

66th

Freedom of Expression Index over time

Botswana
Sao Tome and Principe

How they compare

Botswana currently reports 0.798 against 0.793 in Sao Tome and Principe, a difference of 0.005.

The two have swapped places 4 times across 126 shared years of data; in 1900 it was Botswana ahead.

Botswana ranks 65th and Sao Tome and Principe ranks 66th of 176 countries.

Across the 13 decades both report, Botswana averaged higher in 6 and Sao Tome and Principe in 7.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Botswana	Sao Tome and Principe	Difference	Ahead
1900s	0.15	0.149	0.001	Botswana
1910s	0.149	0.2192	0.0702	Sao Tome and Principe
1920s	0.152	0.208	0.056	Sao Tome and Principe
1930s	0.1485	0.165	0.0165	Sao Tome and Principe
1940s	0.1451	0.173	0.0279	Sao Tome and Principe
1950s	0.153	0.1719	0.0189	Sao Tome and Principe
1960s	0.4141	0.174	0.2401	Botswana
1970s	0.749	0.2433	0.5057	Botswana
1980s	0.7839	0.312	0.4719	Botswana
1990s	0.811	0.7845	0.0265	Botswana
2000s	0.817	0.8096	0.0074	Botswana
2010s	0.7992	0.8235	0.0243	Sao Tome and Principe
2020s	0.7987	0.8068	0.0082	Sao Tome and Principe

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher freedom of expression index, Botswana or Sao Tome and Principe?: Botswana, at 0.798 against 0.793 in Sao Tome and Principe as of 2025.
What is the difference in freedom of expression index between Botswana and Sao Tome and Principe?: 0.005, with Botswana ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and Sao Tome and Principe?: 126 years are reported by both, from 1900 to 2025.
How do Botswana and Sao Tome and Principe rank globally for freedom of expression index?: Botswana ranks 65th and Sao Tome and Principe ranks 66th of 176 countries.
Where does this data come from?: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Freedom of Expression Index. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Botswana vs Sao Tome and Principe: Freedom of Expression Index. Statizoid, drawing on V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 07 November 2026, from https://social-development.statizoid.com/compare/freedom-of-expression-index/botswana/sao-tome-and-principe/

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About this data

Indicator: Freedom of Expression Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 176 places, 30,035 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 30 October 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which people can discuss political matters at home and in the public sphere, the press, and media are free and can present different political perspectives, and the freedom of academic and cultural expression.