What is academic freedom index in Iran?

Academic freedom index in Iran was 0.06 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Iran?

The highest recorded value was 0.415 in 1950.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Iran?

The lowest recorded value was 0.051 in 1927.

How does Iran rank for academic freedom index?

Iran ranks 168th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Iran?

Over the last ten years it is down 51.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Iran 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 Iran

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

Iran: Academic Freedom Index was 0.06 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.06

Change on year

down 58.6%

World rank

168th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.415

in 1950

All-time low

0.051

in 1927

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Iran, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

Iran recorded 0.06 for academic freedom index in 2025.

The figure is down 58.6% on the previous year and down 51.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Iran peaked at 0.415 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 0.051, in 1927.

Iran ranks 168th of 174 countries on this measure, 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	0.0715	0.067	0.082	10
1910s	0.0807	0.069	0.082	10
1920s	0.0701	0.051	0.09	10
1930s	0.06	0.06	0.06	10
1940s	0.3099	0.06	0.381	10
1950s	0.2889	0.204	0.415	10
1960s	0.201	0.199	0.204	10
1970s	0.1921	0.177	0.213	10
1980s	0.0925	0.083	0.119	10
1990s	0.1467	0.125	0.178	10
2000s	0.1453	0.113	0.163	10
2010s	0.1177	0.1	0.126	10
2020s	0.0928	0.06	0.145	6

Countries ranked near Iran

165 China 0.071 compare
166 Saudi Arabia 0.066 compare
167 Turkmenistan 0.064 compare
168 Belarus 0.06 compare
170 South Sudan 0.054 compare
171 North Korea 0.036 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Iran

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 770,514 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 157,912 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.159 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.166 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.093 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.159 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.042 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.103 (2025)

All data for Iran →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Iran?: Academic freedom index in Iran was 0.06 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Iran?: The highest recorded value was 0.415 in 1950.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Iran?: The lowest recorded value was 0.051 in 1927.
How does Iran rank for academic freedom index?: Iran ranks 168th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Iran?: Over the last ten years it is down 51.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Iran 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.