What is academic freedom index in France?

Academic freedom index in France was 0.8 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in France?

The highest recorded value was 0.893 in 2008.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in France?

The lowest recorded value was 0.378 in 1941.

How does France rank for academic freedom index?

France ranks 57th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in France?

Over the last ten years it is down 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this France 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 France

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

France: Academic Freedom Index was 0.8 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.8

Change on year

down 8.7%

World rank

57th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.893

in 2008

All-time low

0.378

in 1941

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in France, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

France recorded 0.8 for academic freedom index in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.7% on the previous year and down 10.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in France peaked at 0.893 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 0.378, in 1941.

France ranks 57th of 174 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 126 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	0.711	0.711	0.711	10
1910s	0.6589	0.604	0.711	10
1920s	0.704	0.704	0.704	10
1930s	0.6993	0.657	0.704	10
1940s	0.596	0.378	0.845	10
1950s	0.8445	0.84	0.845	10
1960s	0.8398	0.837	0.849	10
1970s	0.855	0.855	0.855	10
1980s	0.8783	0.872	0.879	10
1990s	0.8789	0.878	0.879	10
2000s	0.885	0.879	0.893	10
2010s	0.893	0.893	0.893	10
2020s	0.8712	0.8	0.893	6

Countries ranked near France

54 Finland 0.818 compare
55 Croatia 0.811 compare
56 Slovakia 0.807 compare
58 Malawi 0.795 compare
59 Switzerland 0.773 compare
60 Netherlands 0.763 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for France

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 788,419 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 166 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.865 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.959 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.889 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.865 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.597 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.8 (2025)

All data for France →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in France?: Academic freedom index in France was 0.8 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in France?: The highest recorded value was 0.893 in 2008.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in France?: The lowest recorded value was 0.378 in 1941.
How does France rank for academic freedom index?: France ranks 57th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in France?: Over the last ten years it is down 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this France 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.