What is freedom of expression index in Denmark?

Freedom of expression index in Denmark was 0.98 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.988 in 1967.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.272 in 1799.

How does Denmark rank for freedom of expression index?

Denmark ranks 1st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Denmark?

Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Denmark 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 Denmark

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

Denmark: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.98 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.98

Change on year

down 0.5%

World rank

1st

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.988

in 1967

All-time low

0.272

in 1799

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Denmark, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

Denmark recorded 0.98 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and down 0.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Denmark peaked at 0.988 in 1967 and was at its lowest, 0.272, in 1799.

Denmark ranks 1st 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	0.297	0.297	0.297	1
1790s	0.2945	0.272	0.297	10
1800s	0.272	0.272	0.272	10
1810s	0.272	0.272	0.272	10
1820s	0.272	0.272	0.272	10
1830s	0.4658	0.272	0.595	10
1840s	0.66	0.595	0.939	10
1850s	0.9354	0.926	0.939	10
1860s	0.937	0.937	0.937	10
1870s	0.9334	0.912	0.939	10
1880s	0.8523	0.751	0.939	10
1890s	0.8707	0.751	0.952	10
1900s	0.946	0.946	0.946	10
1910s	0.9449	0.941	0.952	10
1920s	0.957	0.957	0.957	10
1930s	0.9365	0.929	0.953	10
1940s	0.7347	0.487	0.98	10
1950s	0.9827	0.98	0.983	10
1960s	0.9852	0.984	0.988	10
1970s	0.988	0.988	0.988	10
1980s	0.988	0.988	0.988	10
1990s	0.988	0.988	0.988	10
2000s	0.988	0.988	0.988	10
2010s	0.9862	0.984	0.988	10
2020s	0.9842	0.98	0.985	6

Countries ranked near Denmark

3 Belgium 0.969 compare
3 Estonia 0.969 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Denmark

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 95,007 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 21 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.913 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.884 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.959 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.7 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.959 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.913 (2025)

All data for Denmark →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Denmark?: Freedom of expression index in Denmark was 0.98 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Denmark?: The highest recorded value was 0.988 in 1967.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Denmark?: The lowest recorded value was 0.272 in 1799.
How does Denmark rank for freedom of expression index?: Denmark ranks 1st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Denmark?: Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Denmark 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.