What is academic freedom index in China?

Academic freedom index in China was 0.071 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in China?

The highest recorded value was 0.53 in 1913.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in China?

The lowest recorded value was 0.015 in 1967.

How does China rank for academic freedom index?

China ranks 165th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in China?

Over the last ten years it is down 39.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this China 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 China

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

China: Academic Freedom Index was 0.071 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.071

Change on year

up 7.6%

World rank

165th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.53

in 1913

All-time low

0.015

in 1967

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in China, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, academic freedom index in China stood at 0.071.

The figure is up 7.6% on the previous year and down 39.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in China peaked at 0.53 in 1913 and was at its lowest, 0.015, in 1967.

That places China 165th 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	0.3902	0.389	0.391	10
1910s	0.4967	0.39	0.53	10
1920s	0.5249	0.498	0.53	10
1930s	0.4901	0.481	0.498	10
1940s	0.4489	0.379	0.467	10
1950s	0.0665	0.042	0.08	10
1960s	0.0348	0.015	0.048	10
1970s	0.0471	0.021	0.143	10
1980s	0.2837	0.194	0.321	10
1990s	0.245	0.166	0.28	10
2000s	0.2814	0.272	0.29	10
2010s	0.1366	0.082	0.233	10
2020s	0.0687	0.064	0.074	6

Countries ranked near China

162 Cuba 0.084 compare
163 Tajikistan 0.082 compare
164 Egypt 0.075 compare
166 Saudi Arabia 0.066 compare
167 Turkmenistan 0.064 compare
168 Belarus 0.06 compare
168 Iran 0.06 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for China

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 230 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 153,962 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.072 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.045 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.03 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.072 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.036 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.039 (2025)

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in China?: Academic freedom index in China was 0.071 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in China?: The highest recorded value was 0.53 in 1913.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in China?: The lowest recorded value was 0.015 in 1967.
How does China rank for academic freedom index?: China ranks 165th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in China?: Over the last ten years it is down 39.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this China 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.