What is academic freedom index in Germany?

Academic freedom index in Germany was 0.877 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Germany?

The highest recorded value was 0.965 in 2018.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Germany?

The lowest recorded value was 0.043 in 1939.

How does Germany rank for academic freedom index?

Germany ranks 22nd out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Germany?

Over the last ten years it is down 8.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Germany 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 Germany

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

Germany: Academic Freedom Index was 0.877 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.877

Change on year

down 0.3%

World rank

22nd

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.965

in 2018

All-time low

0.043

in 1939

Years of data

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Germany, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for academic freedom index in Germany is 0.877, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of down 0.3% on the previous year and down 8.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Germany peaked at 0.965 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.043, in 1939.

That places Germany 22nd out of 174 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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	0.4048	0.402	0.408	10
1910s	0.4258	0.391	0.586	10
1920s	0.594	0.594	0.594	10
1930s	0.2067	0.043	0.566	10
1940s	0.043	0.043	0.043	5
1990s	0.962	0.962	0.962	9
2000s	0.962	0.962	0.962	10
2010s	0.9626	0.962	0.965	10
2020s	0.9298	0.877	0.963	6

Countries ranked near Germany

19 Solomon Islands 0.9 compare
20 Cyprus 0.889 compare
21 Austria 0.881 compare
23 Nigeria 0.876 compare
24 Denmark 0.875 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Germany

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2.66 million (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 327 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.828 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.914 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.852 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.828 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.593 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.782 (2025)

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Germany?: Academic freedom index in Germany was 0.877 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Germany?: The highest recorded value was 0.965 in 2018.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Germany?: The lowest recorded value was 0.043 in 1939.
How does Germany rank for academic freedom index?: Germany ranks 22nd out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Germany?: Over the last ten years it is down 8.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Germany 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 — 80 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.