What is freedom of expression index in Belgium?

Freedom of expression index in Belgium was 0.969 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.977 in 2008.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.102 in 1814.

How does Belgium rank for freedom of expression index?

Belgium ranks 3rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Belgium?

Over the last ten years it is down 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Belgium 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 Belgium

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

Belgium: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.969 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.969

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

3rd

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.977

in 2008

All-time low

0.102

in 1814

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Belgium, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

Belgium recorded 0.969 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

That represents a change of down 0.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Belgium peaked at 0.977 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 0.102, in 1814.

Belgium ranks 3rd of 176 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 237 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1780s	0.287	0.287	0.287	1
1790s	0.4362	0.199	0.721	10
1800s	0.169	0.169	0.169	10
1810s	0.3041	0.102	0.464	10
1820s	0.464	0.464	0.464	10
1830s	0.7844	0.761	0.787	10
1840s	0.82	0.82	0.82	10
1850s	0.82	0.82	0.82	10
1860s	0.82	0.82	0.82	10
1870s	0.82	0.82	0.82	10
1880s	0.8084	0.791	0.82	10
1890s	0.8132	0.791	0.828	10
1900s	0.852	0.852	0.852	10
1910s	0.6778	0.495	0.852	10
1920s	0.843	0.843	0.843	10
1930s	0.843	0.843	0.843	10
1940s	0.6428	0.355	0.918	10
1950s	0.931	0.931	0.931	10
1960s	0.924	0.924	0.924	10
1970s	0.9374	0.935	0.941	10
1980s	0.944	0.942	0.948	10
1990s	0.9705	0.968	0.973	10
2000s	0.9739	0.973	0.977	10
2010s	0.9761	0.974	0.977	10
2020s	0.9677	0.966	0.969	6

Countries ranked near Belgium

1 Denmark 0.98 compare
2 Ireland 0.97 compare
3 Estonia 0.969 compare
5 Switzerland 0.967 compare
6 France 0.959 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Belgium

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 186,393 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 113 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.889 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.794 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.955 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.633 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.955 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.889 (2025)

All data for Belgium →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Belgium?: Freedom of expression index in Belgium was 0.969 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Belgium?: The highest recorded value was 0.977 in 2008.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Belgium?: The lowest recorded value was 0.102 in 1814.
How does Belgium rank for freedom of expression index?: Belgium ranks 3rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Belgium?: Over the last ten years it is down 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Belgium 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 — 237 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.