What is freedom of expression index in Estonia?

Freedom of expression index in Estonia 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 Estonia?

The highest recorded value was 0.975 in 2016.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.012 in 1940.

How does Estonia rank for freedom of expression index?

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

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Estonia?

Over the last ten years it is up 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Estonia 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 Estonia

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

Estonia: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.969 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.969

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

3rd

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.975

in 2016

All-time low

0.012

in 1940

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Estonia, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, freedom of expression index in Estonia stood at 0.969.

That represents a change of up 0.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Estonia peaked at 0.975 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0.012, in 1940.

That places Estonia 3rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1780s	0.164	0.164	0.164	1
1790s	0.087	0.087	0.087	10
1800s	0.087	0.087	0.087	10
1810s	0.087	0.087	0.087	10
1820s	0.0818	0.074	0.087	10
1830s	0.074	0.074	0.074	10
1840s	0.071	0.059	0.074	10
1850s	0.111	0.059	0.168	10
1860s	0.181	0.168	0.194	10
1870s	0.1751	0.167	0.194	10
1880s	0.1858	0.167	0.19	10
1890s	0.19	0.19	0.19	10
1900s	0.2187	0.199	0.242	10
1910s	0.3208	0.146	0.731	10
1920s	0.9019	0.798	0.931	10
1930s	0.5954	0.377	0.93	10
1940s	0.0127	0.012	0.015	10
1950s	0.0212	0.012	0.03	10
1960s	0.0276	0.025	0.029	10
1970s	0.0252	0.024	0.026	10
1980s	0.1196	0.025	0.369	10
1990s	0.9505	0.931	0.955	10
2000s	0.9559	0.953	0.959	10
2010s	0.9678	0.963	0.975	10
2020s	0.9702	0.969	0.974	6

Countries ranked near Estonia

1 Denmark 0.98 compare
2 Ireland 0.97 compare
3 Belgium 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 Estonia

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 41,299 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 86 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.887 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.837 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.963 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.621 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.963 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.887 (2025)

All data for Estonia →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Estonia?: Freedom of expression index in Estonia 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 Estonia?: The highest recorded value was 0.975 in 2016.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Estonia?: The lowest recorded value was 0.012 in 1940.
How does Estonia rank for freedom of expression index?: Estonia ranks 3rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Estonia?: Over the last ten years it is up 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Estonia 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.