What is freedom of expression index in Botswana?

Freedom of expression index in Botswana was 0.798 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.827 in 2007.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.138 in 1943.

How does Botswana rank for freedom of expression index?

Botswana ranks 65th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Botswana?

Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Botswana 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 Botswana

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

Botswana: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.798 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.798

Change on year

up 0.5%

World rank

65th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.827

in 2007

All-time low

0.138

in 1943

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Botswana, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

Botswana recorded 0.798 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 2.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Botswana peaked at 0.827 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 0.138, in 1943.

That places Botswana 65th 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	0.15	0.15	0.15	10
1910s	0.149	0.148	0.15	10
1920s	0.152	0.152	0.152	10
1930s	0.1485	0.147	0.152	10
1940s	0.1451	0.138	0.155	10
1950s	0.153	0.15	0.155	10
1960s	0.4141	0.172	0.747	10
1970s	0.749	0.747	0.752	10
1980s	0.7839	0.752	0.811	10
1990s	0.811	0.811	0.811	10
2000s	0.817	0.811	0.827	10
2010s	0.7992	0.781	0.814	10
2020s	0.7987	0.776	0.814	6

Countries ranked near Botswana

62 Colombia 0.81 compare
62 Greece 0.81 compare
64 Haiti 0.799 compare
66 Sao Tome and Principe 0.793 compare
67 Zambia 0.778 compare
68 Romania 0.777 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Botswana

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 847 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 384 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.665 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.52 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.845 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.369 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.845 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.665 (2025)

All data for Botswana →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Botswana?: Freedom of expression index in Botswana was 0.798 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Botswana?: The highest recorded value was 0.827 in 2007.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Botswana?: The lowest recorded value was 0.138 in 1943.
How does Botswana rank for freedom of expression index?: Botswana ranks 65th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Botswana?: Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Botswana 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.