What is freedom of expression index in Eswatini?

Freedom of expression index in Eswatini was 0.113 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.211 in 1969.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.088 in 1908.

How does Eswatini rank for freedom of expression index?

Eswatini ranks 158th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Eswatini?

Over the last ten years it is down 43.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Eswatini 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 Eswatini

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

Eswatini: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.113 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.113

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

158th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.211

in 1969

All-time low

0.088

in 1908

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Eswatini, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

Eswatini recorded 0.113 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

That represents a change of down 43.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Eswatini peaked at 0.211 in 1969 and was at its lowest, 0.088, in 1908.

Eswatini ranks 158th of 176 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 126 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	0.0932	0.088	0.094	10
1910s	0.092	0.092	0.092	10
1920s	0.092	0.092	0.092	10
1930s	0.092	0.092	0.092	10
1940s	0.092	0.092	0.092	10
1950s	0.092	0.092	0.092	10
1960s	0.131	0.092	0.211	10
1970s	0.1836	0.174	0.204	10
1980s	0.1604	0.142	0.165	10
1990s	0.1498	0.142	0.155	10
2000s	0.1623	0.149	0.17	10
2010s	0.1896	0.17	0.205	10
2020s	0.122	0.108	0.172	6

Countries ranked near Eswatini

155 Oman 0.151 compare
156 Venezuela 0.148 compare
157 Vatican 0.13 compare
159 Equatorial Guinea 0.112 compare
160 Vietnam 0.102 compare
161 Azerbaijan 0.092 compare
161 Saudi Arabia 0.092 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Eswatini

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 1,414 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 220 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.128 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.097 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.206 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.206 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.128 (2025)

All data for Eswatini →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Eswatini?: Freedom of expression index in Eswatini was 0.113 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Eswatini?: The highest recorded value was 0.211 in 1969.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Eswatini?: The lowest recorded value was 0.088 in 1908.
How does Eswatini rank for freedom of expression index?: Eswatini ranks 158th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Eswatini?: Over the last ten years it is down 43.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Eswatini 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.