What is freedom of expression index in Benin?

Freedom of expression index in Benin was 0.676 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.901 in 2002.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.101 in 1975.

How does Benin rank for freedom of expression index?

Benin ranks 95th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Benin?

Over the last ten years it is down 20.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Benin 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 Benin

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

Benin: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.676 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.676

Change on year

down 1.5%

World rank

95th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.901

in 2002

All-time low

0.101

in 1975

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Benin, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

Benin recorded 0.676 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.5% on the previous year and down 20.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Benin peaked at 0.901 in 2002 and was at its lowest, 0.101, in 1975.

That places Benin 95th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.

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	0.137	0.137	0.137	10
1910s	0.137	0.137	0.137	10
1920s	0.137	0.137	0.137	10
1930s	0.137	0.137	0.137	10
1940s	0.1368	0.136	0.137	10
1950s	0.1419	0.137	0.164	10
1960s	0.4742	0.471	0.479	10
1970s	0.201	0.101	0.468	10
1980s	0.104	0.101	0.113	10
1990s	0.8697	0.734	0.899	10
2000s	0.8754	0.843	0.901	10
2010s	0.8162	0.641	0.854	10
2020s	0.6885	0.662	0.722	6

Countries ranked near Benin

92 Bhutan 0.682 compare
93 Cote d'Ivoire 0.681 compare
94 Bolivia 0.68 compare
95 Philippines 0.676 compare
97 Albania 0.673 compare
98 North Macedonia 0.664 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Benin

Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 16,974 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 1,279 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.493 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.323 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.836 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.28 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.836 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.493 (2025)

All data for Benin →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Benin?: Freedom of expression index in Benin was 0.676 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Benin?: The highest recorded value was 0.901 in 2002.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Benin?: The lowest recorded value was 0.101 in 1975.
How does Benin rank for freedom of expression index?: Benin ranks 95th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Benin?: Over the last ten years it is down 20.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Benin 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.