Which has higher freedom of expression index, Botswana or Zambia?

Botswana, at 0.798 against 0.778 in Zambia as of 2025.

How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and Zambia?

115 years are reported by both, from 1911 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 Zambia: Freedom of Expression Index

Botswana

0.798

in 2025

Zambia

0.778

in 2025

Botswana rank

65th

Zambia rank

67th

Freedom of Expression Index over time

Botswana
Zambia

How they compare

Botswana currently reports 0.798 against 0.778 in Zambia, a difference of 0.02.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 115 shared years of data; in 1911 it was Zambia ahead.

Botswana ranks 65th and Zambia ranks 67th of 176 countries.

Across the 12 decades both report, Botswana averaged higher in 7 and Zambia in 5.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Botswana	Zambia	Difference	Ahead
1910s	0.1489	0.237	0.0881	Zambia
1920s	0.152	0.2346	0.0826	Zambia
1930s	0.1485	0.233	0.0845	Zambia
1940s	0.1451	0.2512	0.1061	Zambia
1950s	0.153	0.2927	0.1397	Zambia
1960s	0.4141	0.3581	0.056	Botswana
1970s	0.749	0.2376	0.5114	Botswana
1980s	0.7839	0.161	0.6229	Botswana
1990s	0.811	0.6416	0.1694	Botswana
2000s	0.817	0.7477	0.0693	Botswana
2010s	0.7992	0.6683	0.1309	Botswana
2020s	0.7987	0.7605	0.0382	Botswana

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher freedom of expression index, Botswana or Zambia?: Botswana, at 0.798 against 0.778 in Zambia as of 2025.
What is the difference in freedom of expression index between Botswana and Zambia?: 0.02, with Botswana ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and Zambia?: 115 years are reported by both, from 1911 to 2025.
How do Botswana and Zambia rank globally for freedom of expression index?: Botswana ranks 65th and Zambia ranks 67th 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 Zambia: 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/zambia/

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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.