What is academic freedom index in Iraq?

Academic freedom index in Iraq was 0.604 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Iraq?

The highest recorded value was 0.604 in 2025.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Iraq?

The lowest recorded value was 0.027 in 1991.

How does Iraq rank for academic freedom index?

Iraq ranks 90th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Iraq?

Over the last ten years it is up 42.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Iraq 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 Iraq

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

Iraq: Academic Freedom Index was 0.604 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.604

Change on year

up 46.6%

World rank

90th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.604

in 2025

All-time low

0.027

in 1991

Years of data

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Iraq, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, academic freedom index in Iraq stood at 0.604. That is the highest value across all 89 years on record.

That represents a change of up 46.6% on the previous year and up 42.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Iraq peaked at 0.604 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.027, in 1991.

Iraq ranks 90th of 174 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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	0.0582	0.045	0.119	10
1910s	0.0661	0.044	0.119	10
1950s	0.3253	0.313	0.333	3
1960s	0.2192	0.116	0.325	10
1970s	0.113	0.104	0.115	10
1980s	0.031	0.03	0.04	10
1990s	0.034	0.027	0.036	10
2000s	0.3418	0.108	0.472	10
2010s	0.4347	0.405	0.455	10
2020s	0.442	0.39	0.604	6

Countries ranked near Iraq

87 Lebanon 0.618 compare
88 Liberia 0.609 compare
88 Togo 0.609 compare
91 Colombia 0.599 compare
92 Serbia 0.598 compare
93 Mauritius 0.592 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Iraq

Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 322,345 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 270,671 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.369 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.571 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.578 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.369 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.224 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.22 (2025)

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Iraq?: Academic freedom index in Iraq was 0.604 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Iraq?: The highest recorded value was 0.604 in 2025.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Iraq?: The lowest recorded value was 0.027 in 1991.
How does Iraq rank for academic freedom index?: Iraq ranks 90th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Iraq?: Over the last ten years it is up 42.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Iraq 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 — 89 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.