What is academic freedom index in Kenya?

Academic freedom index in Kenya was 0.864 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Kenya?

The highest recorded value was 0.864 in 2025.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Kenya?

The lowest recorded value was 0.226 in 1963.

How does Kenya rank for academic freedom index?

Kenya ranks 29th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Kenya?

Over the last ten years it is up 4.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Kenya 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 Kenya

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

Kenya: Academic Freedom Index was 0.864 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.864

Change on year

up 3.5%

World rank

29th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.864

in 2025

All-time low

0.226

in 1963

Years of data

1956–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Kenya, 1956–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for academic freedom index in Kenya is 0.864, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 70 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.5% on the previous year and up 4.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Kenya peaked at 0.864 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.226, in 1963.

That places Kenya 29th 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
1950s	0.29	0.29	0.29	4
1960s	0.2799	0.226	0.317	10
1970s	0.2805	0.278	0.283	10
1980s	0.2645	0.26	0.273	10
1990s	0.3509	0.266	0.425	10
2000s	0.7522	0.475	0.831	10
2010s	0.8266	0.803	0.846	10
2020s	0.8315	0.811	0.864	6

Countries ranked near Kenya

26 Spain 0.869 compare
27 Cape Verde 0.866 compare
27 Trinidad and Tobago 0.866 compare
29 Australia 0.864 compare
29 Poland 0.864 compare
32 Sierra Leone 0.862 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Kenya

Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 617,125 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 13,325 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.563 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.9 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.793 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.563 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.335 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.446 (2025)

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Kenya?: Academic freedom index in Kenya was 0.864 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Kenya?: The highest recorded value was 0.864 in 2025.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Kenya?: The lowest recorded value was 0.226 in 1963.
How does Kenya rank for academic freedom index?: Kenya ranks 29th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Kenya?: Over the last ten years it is up 4.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Kenya 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 — 70 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.