What is academic freedom index in Belarus?

Academic freedom index in Belarus was 0.06 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Belarus?

The highest recorded value was 0.579 in 1992.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Belarus?

The lowest recorded value was 0.004 in 1938.

How does Belarus rank for academic freedom index?

Belarus ranks 168th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Belarus?

Over the last ten years it is down 66.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Belarus data come from?

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

Academic Freedom Index in Belarus

Name: Academic Freedom Index in Belarus
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Belarus: Academic Freedom Index was 0.06 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.06

Change on year

up 46.3%

World rank

168th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.579

in 1992

All-time low

0.004

in 1938

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Belarus, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

Belarus recorded 0.06 for academic freedom index in 2025.

That represents a change of up 46.3% on the previous year and down 66.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Belarus peaked at 0.579 in 1992 and was at its lowest, 0.004, in 1938.

That places Belarus 168th out of 174 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	0.4366	0.407	0.473	10
1910s	0.3475	0.074	0.446	10
1920s	0.031	0.009	0.044	10
1930s	0.0048	0.004	0.005	10
1940s	0.0045	0.004	0.005	10
1950s	0.0186	0.007	0.029	10
1960s	0.0287	0.025	0.032	10
1970s	0.0376	0.035	0.041	10
1980s	0.1183	0.044	0.349	10
1990s	0.437	0.299	0.579	10
2000s	0.222	0.184	0.272	10
2010s	0.1831	0.169	0.196	10
2020s	0.0513	0.036	0.076	6

Countries ranked near Belarus

165 China 0.071 compare
166 Saudi Arabia 0.066 compare
167 Turkmenistan 0.064 compare
168 Iran 0.06 compare
170 South Sudan 0.054 compare
171 North Korea 0.036 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Belarus

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 40,794 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 19,462 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.163 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.025 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.07 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.163 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.054 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.038 (2025)

All data for Belarus →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Belarus?: Academic freedom index in Belarus was 0.06 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Belarus?: The highest recorded value was 0.579 in 1992.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Belarus?: The lowest recorded value was 0.004 in 1938.
How does Belarus rank for academic freedom index?: Belarus ranks 168th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Belarus?: Over the last ten years it is down 66.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Belarus data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Academic Freedom Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Academic Freedom Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 174 places, 16,942 data points, 1900–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which academics can research, teach, publish, express opinions, and participate in academic bodies without interference, censorship, or institutional restrictions, and universities exercise institutional autonomy.