What is academic freedom index in Russia?

Academic freedom index in Russia was 0.176 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Russia?

The highest recorded value was 0.823 in 1993.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Russia?

The lowest recorded value was 0.004 in 1938.

How does Russia rank for academic freedom index?

Russia ranks 147th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Russia?

Over the last ten years it is down 53.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Russia 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 Russia

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

Russia: Academic Freedom Index was 0.176 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.176

Change on year

down 16.2%

World rank

147th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.823

in 1993

All-time low

0.004

in 1938

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Russia, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, academic freedom index in Russia stood at 0.176.

The figure is down 16.2% on the previous year and down 53.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Russia peaked at 0.823 in 1993 and was at its lowest, 0.004, in 1938.

Russia ranks 147th 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	0.4366	0.407	0.473	10
1910s	0.3475	0.074	0.446	10
1920s	0.031	0.009	0.044	10
1930s	0.0048	0.004	0.005	10
1940s	0.0045	0.004	0.005	10
1950s	0.0186	0.007	0.029	10
1960s	0.0287	0.025	0.032	10
1970s	0.0376	0.035	0.041	10
1980s	0.1183	0.044	0.349	10
1990s	0.7829	0.583	0.823	10
2000s	0.6867	0.632	0.731	10
2010s	0.4181	0.337	0.581	10
2020s	0.2435	0.176	0.329	6

Countries ranked near Russia

144 Uganda 0.196 compare
145 United Arab Emirates 0.195 compare
146 Eswatini 0.179 compare
148 Jordan 0.173 compare
149 El Salvador 0.165 compare
150 Zimbabwe 0.157 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Russia

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 11,811 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 99,360 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.17 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.08 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.115 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.17 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.124 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.056 (2025)

All data for Russia →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Russia?: Academic freedom index in Russia was 0.176 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Russia?: The highest recorded value was 0.823 in 1993.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Russia?: The lowest recorded value was 0.004 in 1938.
How does Russia rank for academic freedom index?: Russia ranks 147th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Russia?: Over the last ten years it is down 53.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Russia 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.