What is academic freedom index in Bulgaria?

Academic freedom index in Bulgaria was 0.85 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Bulgaria?

The highest recorded value was 0.939 in 2001.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Bulgaria?

The lowest recorded value was 0.073 in 1950.

How does Bulgaria rank for academic freedom index?

Bulgaria ranks 35th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Bulgaria?

Over the last ten years it is down 6.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria

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

Bulgaria: Academic Freedom Index was 0.85 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.85

Change on year

up 0.8%

World rank

35th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.939

in 2001

All-time low

0.073

in 1950

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Bulgaria, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

Bulgaria recorded 0.85 for academic freedom index in 2025.

That represents a change of up 0.8% on the previous year and down 6.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Bulgaria peaked at 0.939 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 0.073, in 1950.

Bulgaria ranks 35th of 174 countries on this measure, in the top 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	0.5995	0.467	0.627	10
1910s	0.6208	0.568	0.645	10
1920s	0.5508	0.513	0.573	10
1930s	0.5389	0.494	0.573	10
1940s	0.2741	0.075	0.49	10
1950s	0.0827	0.073	0.1	10
1960s	0.105	0.101	0.116	10
1970s	0.113	0.113	0.113	10
1980s	0.1427	0.113	0.171	10
1990s	0.8843	0.855	0.909	10
2000s	0.9362	0.915	0.939	10
2010s	0.9123	0.903	0.921	10
2020s	0.8538	0.838	0.869	6

Countries ranked near Bulgaria

32 Sierra Leone 0.862 compare
33 Canada 0.854 compare
33 Norway 0.854 compare
35 South Korea 0.85 compare
37 Brazil 0.849 compare
37 Papua New Guinea 0.849 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Bulgaria

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 105,596 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 533 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.599 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.754 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.833 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.599 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.397 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.499 (2025)

All data for Bulgaria →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Bulgaria?: Academic freedom index in Bulgaria was 0.85 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Bulgaria?: The highest recorded value was 0.939 in 2001.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Bulgaria?: The lowest recorded value was 0.073 in 1950.
How does Bulgaria rank for academic freedom index?: Bulgaria ranks 35th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Bulgaria?: Over the last ten years it is down 6.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Bulgaria 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.