What is academic freedom index in Zimbabwe?

Academic freedom index in Zimbabwe was 0.157 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?

The highest recorded value was 0.396 in 1950.

What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?

The lowest recorded value was 0.107 in 2001.

How does Zimbabwe rank for academic freedom index?

Zimbabwe ranks 150th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.

Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?

Over the last ten years it is up 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe: Academic Freedom Index was 0.157 in 2025. ▼ Falling

Latest (2025)

0.157

Change on year

down 2.5%

World rank

150th

of 174 countries

All-time high

0.396

in 1950

All-time low

0.107

in 2001

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Academic Freedom Index in Zimbabwe, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for academic freedom index in Zimbabwe is 0.157, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.5% on the previous year and up 12.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, academic freedom index in Zimbabwe peaked at 0.396 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 0.107, in 2001.

That places Zimbabwe 150th out of 174 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 126 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	0.37	0.37	0.37	10
1910s	0.37	0.37	0.37	10
1920s	0.37	0.37	0.37	10
1930s	0.373	0.373	0.373	10
1940s	0.373	0.373	0.373	10
1950s	0.2801	0.225	0.396	10
1960s	0.1958	0.176	0.215	10
1970s	0.176	0.176	0.176	10
1980s	0.2999	0.238	0.327	10
1990s	0.1932	0.148	0.23	10
2000s	0.1121	0.107	0.153	10
2010s	0.155	0.139	0.196	10
2020s	0.18	0.157	0.203	6

Countries ranked near Zimbabwe

147 Russia 0.176 compare
148 Jordan 0.173 compare
149 El Salvador 0.165 compare
151 Burundi 0.144 compare
152 India 0.136 compare
153 Chad 0.132 compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More social development data for Zimbabwe

Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,570 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,632 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.268 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.414 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.424 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.268 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.202 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.147 (2025)

All data for Zimbabwe →

Frequently asked questions

What is academic freedom index in Zimbabwe?: Academic freedom index in Zimbabwe was 0.157 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest academic freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?: The highest recorded value was 0.396 in 1950.
What is the lowest academic freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?: The lowest recorded value was 0.107 in 2001.
How does Zimbabwe rank for academic freedom index?: Zimbabwe ranks 150th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is academic freedom index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?: Over the last ten years it is up 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Zimbabwe 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.