What is academic freedom index in United Arab Emirates?

Academic freedom index in United Arab Emirates was 0.195 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in United Arab Emirates?

The highest recorded value was 0.212 in 1998.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in United Arab Emirates?

The lowest recorded value was 0.074 in 2021.

How does United Arab Emirates rank for academic freedom index?

United Arab Emirates ranks 145th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?

Over the last ten years it is up 40.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates

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

United Arab Emirates: Academic Freedom Index was 0.195 in 2025. ▼ Falling

Latest (2025)

0.195

Change on year

up 1.6%

World rank

145th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.212

in 1998

All-time low

0.074

in 2021

Years of data

1976–2025

Academic Freedom Index in United Arab Emirates, 1976–2025

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

Analysis

United Arab Emirates recorded 0.195 for academic freedom index in 2025.

The figure is up 1.6% on the previous year and up 40.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in United Arab Emirates peaked at 0.212 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 0.074, in 2021.

United Arab Emirates ranks 145th of 174 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 50 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1970s	0.184	0.184	0.184	4
1980s	0.1852	0.184	0.186	10
1990s	0.2017	0.186	0.212	10
2000s	0.2114	0.209	0.212	10
2010s	0.1503	0.127	0.209	10
2020s	0.1497	0.074	0.195	6

Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates

142 Syria 0.201 compare
143 Bahrain 0.199 compare
144 Uganda 0.196 compare
146 Eswatini 0.179 compare
147 Russia 0.176 compare
148 Jordan 0.173 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for United Arab Emirates

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 1,377 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 252 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.104 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.063 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.04 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.104 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.031 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.077 (2025)

All data for United Arab Emirates →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in United Arab Emirates?: Academic freedom index in United Arab Emirates was 0.195 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in United Arab Emirates?: The highest recorded value was 0.212 in 1998.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in United Arab Emirates?: The lowest recorded value was 0.074 in 2021.
How does United Arab Emirates rank for academic freedom index?: United Arab Emirates ranks 145th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?: Over the last ten years it is up 40.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this United Arab Emirates 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 — 50 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.