What is freedom of expression index in Bahrain?

Freedom of expression index in Bahrain was 0.172 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Bahrain?

The highest recorded value was 0.453 in 2006.

What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Bahrain?

The lowest recorded value was 0.07 in 1900.

How does Bahrain rank for freedom of expression index?

Bahrain ranks 149th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Bahrain?

Over the last ten years it is down 9.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Bahrain data come from?

The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Freedom of Expression Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Freedom of Expression Index in Bahrain

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

Bahrain: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.172 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.172

Change on year

up 5.5%

World rank

149th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.453

in 2006

All-time low

0.07

in 1900

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Bahrain, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for freedom of expression index in Bahrain is 0.172, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of up 5.5% on the previous year and down 9.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Bahrain peaked at 0.453 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 0.07, in 1900.

That places Bahrain 149th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Freedom of Expression Index in Bahrain, year by year

Annual values for Freedom of Expression Index in Bahrain, 1900 to 2025.
Year	Value	Change
1900	0.07	—
1901	0.07	+0.0%
1902	0.07	+0.0%
1903	0.07	+0.0%
1904	0.07	+0.0%
1905	0.07	+0.0%
1906	0.07	+0.0%
1907	0.07	+0.0%
1908	0.07	+0.0%
1909	0.07	+0.0%
1910	0.07	+0.0%
1911	0.07	+0.0%
1912	0.07	+0.0%
1913	0.07	+0.0%
1914	0.07	+0.0%
1915	0.07	+0.0%
1916	0.07	+0.0%
1917	0.07	+0.0%
1918	0.07	+0.0%
1919	0.07	+0.0%
1920	0.082	+17.1%
1921	0.082	+0.0%
1922	0.082	+0.0%
1923	0.082	+0.0%
1924	0.104	+26.8%
1925	0.104	+0.0%
1926	0.104	+0.0%
1927	0.104	+0.0%
1928	0.104	+0.0%
1929	0.104	+0.0%
1930	0.127	+22.1%
1931	0.127	+0.0%
1932	0.127	+0.0%
1933	0.127	+0.0%
1934	0.127	+0.0%
1935	0.127	+0.0%
1936	0.127	+0.0%
1937	0.127	+0.0%
1938	0.127	+0.0%
1939	0.127	+0.0%
1940	0.131	+3.1%
1941	0.131	+0.0%
1942	0.131	+0.0%
1943	0.131	+0.0%
1944	0.131	+0.0%
1945	0.131	+0.0%
1946	0.131	+0.0%
1947	0.131	+0.0%
1948	0.131	+0.0%
1949	0.131	+0.0%
1950	0.131	+0.0%
1951	0.148	+13.0%
1952	0.148	+0.0%
1953	0.165	+11.5%
1954	0.165	+0.0%
1955	0.165	+0.0%
1956	0.165	+0.0%
1957	0.165	+0.0%
1958	0.165	+0.0%
1959	0.165	+0.0%
1960	0.147	-10.9%
1961	0.156	+6.1%
1962	0.156	+0.0%
1963	0.156	+0.0%
1964	0.156	+0.0%
1965	0.156	+0.0%
1966	0.156	+0.0%
1967	0.156	+0.0%
1968	0.156	+0.0%
1969	0.156	+0.0%
1970	0.156	+0.0%
1971	0.182	+16.7%
1972	0.26	+42.9%
1973	0.27	+3.8%
1974	0.259	-4.1%
1975	0.259	+0.0%
1976	0.132	-49.0%
1977	0.132	+0.0%
1978	0.132	+0.0%
1979	0.132	+0.0%
1980	0.109	-17.4%
1981	0.109	+0.0%
1982	0.109	+0.0%
1983	0.109	+0.0%
1984	0.116	+6.4%
1985	0.116	+0.0%
1986	0.116	+0.0%
1987	0.116	+0.0%
1988	0.116	+0.0%
1989	0.116	+0.0%
1990	0.11	-5.2%
1991	0.11	+0.0%
1992	0.11	+0.0%
1993	0.11	+0.0%
1994	0.11	+0.0%
1995	0.11	+0.0%
1996	0.11	+0.0%
1997	0.11	+0.0%
1998	0.11	+0.0%
1999	0.11	+0.0%
2000	0.211	+91.8%
2001	0.315	+49.3%
2002	0.436	+38.4%
2003	0.443	+1.6%
2004	0.443	+0.0%
2005	0.437	-1.4%
2006	0.453	+3.7%
2007	0.444	-2.0%
2008	0.444	+0.0%
2009	0.446	+0.5%
2010	0.422	-5.4%
2011	0.183	-56.6%
2012	0.163	-10.9%
2013	0.163	+0.0%
2014	0.163	+0.0%
2015	0.19	+16.6%
2016	0.182	-4.2%
2017	0.134	-26.4%
2018	0.132	-1.5%
2019	0.147	+11.4%
2020	0.15	+2.0%
2021	0.163	+8.7%
2022	0.163	+0.0%
2023	0.163	+0.0%
2024	0.163	+0.0%
2025	0.172	+5.5%

Bahrain compared with similar countries

Bahrain's 0.172 is below the median for high income countries, which is 0.874, 20% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
Bahrain's 0.172 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 0.367, 47% of the median. (23 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	0.07	0.07	0.07	10
1910s	0.07	0.07	0.07	10
1920s	0.0952	0.082	0.104	10
1930s	0.127	0.127	0.127	10
1940s	0.131	0.131	0.131	10
1950s	0.1582	0.131	0.165	10
1960s	0.1551	0.147	0.156	10
1970s	0.1914	0.132	0.27	10
1980s	0.1132	0.109	0.116	10
1990s	0.11	0.11	0.11	10
2000s	0.4072	0.211	0.453	10
2010s	0.1879	0.132	0.422	10
2020s	0.1623	0.15	0.172	6

Countries ranked near Bahrain

146 Yemen 0.219 compare
147 Egypt 0.179 compare
147 Turkey 0.179 compare
150 Rwanda 0.17 compare
151 Iran 0.166 compare
152 Burundi 0.164 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Bahrain

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 240 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 267 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0002 units per person (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 267 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)

All data for Bahrain →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Bahrain?: Freedom of expression index in Bahrain was 0.172 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Bahrain?: The highest recorded value was 0.453 in 2006.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Bahrain?: The lowest recorded value was 0.07 in 1900.
How does Bahrain rank for freedom of expression index?: Bahrain ranks 149th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Bahrain?: Over the last ten years it is down 9.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Bahrain data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Freedom of Expression Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Freedom of Expression Index in Bahrain. Statizoid, drawing on V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://social-development.statizoid.com/stat/freedom-of-expression-index/bahrain/

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About this data

Indicator: Freedom of Expression Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 176 places, 30,035 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 18 September 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which people can discuss political matters at home and in the public sphere, the press, and media are free and can present different political perspectives, and the freedom of academic and cultural expression.