What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?

The highest recorded value was 0.704 in 2021.

What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?

The lowest recorded value was 0.023 in 1909.

How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for freedom of expression index?

Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 106th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?

Over the last ten years it is down 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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 Democratic Republic of Congo

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

Democratic Republic of Congo: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.599 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.599

Change on year

up 3.6%

World rank

106th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.704

in 2021

All-time low

0.023

in 1909

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, freedom of expression index in Democratic Republic of Congo stood at 0.599.

That represents a change of up 3.6% on the previous year and down 13.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 0.704 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.023, in 1909.

Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 106th of 176 countries on this measure, 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	0.0239	0.023	0.024	10
1910s	0.023	0.023	0.023	10
1920s	0.049	0.049	0.049	10
1930s	0.049	0.049	0.049	10
1940s	0.049	0.049	0.049	10
1950s	0.0621	0.044	0.091	10
1960s	0.2794	0.099	0.382	10
1970s	0.0864	0.085	0.087	10
1980s	0.101	0.101	0.101	10
1990s	0.3768	0.176	0.568	10
2000s	0.6147	0.573	0.659	10
2010s	0.6757	0.656	0.689	10
2020s	0.6563	0.578	0.704	6

Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo

103 Mexico 0.619 compare
103 Somalia 0.619 compare
105 Central African Republic 0.613 compare
107 Thailand 0.587 compare
108 Malaysia 0.586 compare
109 Morocco 0.579 compare
109 Togo 0.579 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Democratic Republic of Congo

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 503,732 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 1.18 million (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.306 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.115 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.42 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.2 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.42 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.306 (2025)

All data for Democratic Republic of Congo →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Democratic Republic of Congo?: Freedom of expression index in Democratic Republic of Congo was 0.599 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?: The highest recorded value was 0.704 in 2021.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?: The lowest recorded value was 0.023 in 1909.
How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for freedom of expression index?: Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 106th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?: Over the last ten years it is down 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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.