What is academic freedom index in Laos?

Academic freedom index in Laos was 0.122 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Laos?

The highest recorded value was 0.46 in 1958.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Laos?

The lowest recorded value was 0.005 in 1979.

How does Laos rank for academic freedom index?

Laos ranks 155th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Laos?

Over the last ten years it is up 139.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Laos 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 Laos

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

Laos: Academic Freedom Index was 0.122 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.122

Change on year

down 14.1%

World rank

155th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.46

in 1958

All-time low

0.005

in 1979

Years of data

1958–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Laos, 1958–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, academic freedom index in Laos stood at 0.122.

That represents a change of down 14.1% on the previous year and up 139.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Laos peaked at 0.46 in 1958 and was at its lowest, 0.005, in 1979.

Laos ranks 155th 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
1950s	0.46	0.46	0.46	2
1960s	0.4017	0.396	0.453	10
1970s	0.2005	0.005	0.39	10
1980s	0.0096	0.006	0.018	10
1990s	0.0235	0.021	0.028	10
2000s	0.0377	0.036	0.039	10
2010s	0.0484	0.042	0.054	10
2020s	0.107	0.077	0.142	6

Countries ranked near Laos

152 India 0.136 compare
153 Chad 0.132 compare
154 Venezuela 0.129 compare
156 Equatorial Guinea 0.108 compare
157 Qatar 0.1 compare
158 Rwanda 0.097 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Laos

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 80 (1987)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,489 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.135 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.032 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.047 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.135 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.118 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)

All data for Laos →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Laos?: Academic freedom index in Laos was 0.122 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Laos?: The highest recorded value was 0.46 in 1958.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Laos?: The lowest recorded value was 0.005 in 1979.
How does Laos rank for academic freedom index?: Laos ranks 155th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Laos?: Over the last ten years it is up 139.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Laos 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 — 68 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.