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.

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

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 240 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 267 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.139 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.062 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.3 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.054 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.3 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.139 (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.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

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: 07 August 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.