What is academic freedom index in Botswana?

Academic freedom index in Botswana was 0.834 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Botswana?

The highest recorded value was 0.901 in 1981.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Botswana?

The lowest recorded value was 0.814 in 1964.

How does Botswana rank for academic freedom index?

Botswana ranks 43rd out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Botswana?

Over the last ten years it is down 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.

Where does this Botswana 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 Botswana

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

Botswana: Academic Freedom Index was 0.834 in 2025. ▬ Flat

Latest (2025)

0.834

Change on year

down 6.3%

World rank

43rd

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.901

in 1981

All-time low

0.814

in 1964

Years of data

1964–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Botswana, 1964–2025

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

Analysis

Botswana recorded 0.834 for academic freedom index in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.3% on the previous year and down 3.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Botswana peaked at 0.901 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 0.814, in 1964.

That places Botswana 43rd out of 174 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1960s	0.867	0.814	0.895	6
1970s	0.8946	0.893	0.895	10
1980s	0.8986	0.892	0.901	10
1990s	0.8976	0.89	0.899	10
2000s	0.8843	0.849	0.894	10
2010s	0.867	0.861	0.882	10
2020s	0.8625	0.834	0.89	6

Countries ranked near Botswana

40 Zambia 0.844 compare
41 Israel 0.84 compare
42 Peru 0.838 compare
44 Nepal 0.831 compare
44 South Africa 0.831 compare
46 Sri Lanka 0.828 compare
46 Suriname 0.828 compare
46 Taiwan 0.828 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Botswana

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 847 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 384 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.665 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.798 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.85 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.665 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.369 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.52 (2025)

All data for Botswana →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Botswana?: Academic freedom index in Botswana was 0.834 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Botswana?: The highest recorded value was 0.901 in 1981.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Botswana?: The lowest recorded value was 0.814 in 1964.
How does Botswana rank for academic freedom index?: Botswana ranks 43rd out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Botswana?: Over the last ten years it is down 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Botswana 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 — 62 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.