What is academic freedom index in Nepal?

Academic freedom index in Nepal was 0.831 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Nepal?

The highest recorded value was 0.859 in 2021.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Nepal?

The lowest recorded value was 0.224 in 1961.

How does Nepal rank for academic freedom index?

Nepal ranks 44th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Nepal?

Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Nepal 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 Nepal

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

Nepal: Academic Freedom Index was 0.831 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.831

Change on year

up 1.7%

World rank

44th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.859

in 2021

All-time low

0.224

in 1961

Years of data

1958–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Nepal, 1958–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, academic freedom index in Nepal stood at 0.831.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.7% on the previous year and down 0.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Nepal peaked at 0.859 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.224, in 1961.

Nepal ranks 44th of 174 countries on this measure, 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	0.3565	0.355	0.358	2
1960s	0.2288	0.224	0.272	10
1970s	0.224	0.224	0.224	10
1980s	0.228	0.228	0.228	10
1990s	0.7685	0.584	0.789	10
2000s	0.7395	0.659	0.842	10
2010s	0.8423	0.832	0.853	10
2020s	0.8363	0.816	0.859	6

Countries ranked near Nepal

41 Israel 0.84 compare
42 Peru 0.838 compare
43 Botswana 0.834 compare
44 South Africa 0.831 compare
46 Sri Lanka 0.828 compare
46 Suriname 0.828 compare
46 Taiwan 0.828 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Nepal

Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 19,613 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 8,019 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.656 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.813 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.868 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.656 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.435 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.505 (2025)

All data for Nepal →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Nepal?: Academic freedom index in Nepal was 0.831 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Nepal?: The highest recorded value was 0.859 in 2021.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Nepal?: The lowest recorded value was 0.224 in 1961.
How does Nepal rank for academic freedom index?: Nepal ranks 44th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Nepal?: Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Nepal 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.