What is freedom of expression index in Ireland?

Freedom of expression index in Ireland was 0.97 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.976 in 2012.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.599 in 1816.

How does Ireland rank for freedom of expression index?

Ireland ranks 2nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Ireland?

Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Ireland 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 Ireland

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

Ireland: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.97 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.97

Change on year

down 0.4%

World rank

2nd

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.976

in 2012

All-time low

0.599

in 1816

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Ireland, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

Ireland recorded 0.97 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Ireland peaked at 0.976 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0.599, in 1816.

That places Ireland 2nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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	0.702	0.702	0.702	1
1790s	0.6641	0.643	0.702	10
1800s	0.643	0.643	0.643	10
1810s	0.6254	0.599	0.643	10
1820s	0.6729	0.636	0.72	10
1830s	0.72	0.72	0.72	10
1840s	0.78	0.78	0.78	10
1850s	0.8074	0.793	0.809	10
1860s	0.809	0.809	0.809	10
1870s	0.8237	0.809	0.83	10
1880s	0.83	0.83	0.83	10
1890s	0.83	0.83	0.83	10
1900s	0.8475	0.847	0.852	10
1910s	0.7974	0.642	0.847	10
1920s	0.7633	0.642	0.832	10
1930s	0.8357	0.815	0.855	10
1940s	0.8311	0.815	0.86	10
1950s	0.8666	0.86	0.868	10
1960s	0.8845	0.874	0.892	10
1970s	0.9164	0.908	0.922	10
1980s	0.9275	0.92	0.932	10
1990s	0.9613	0.954	0.966	10
2000s	0.9743	0.974	0.975	10
2010s	0.9739	0.969	0.976	10
2020s	0.9728	0.97	0.974	6

Countries ranked near Ireland

1 Denmark 0.98 compare
3 Belgium 0.969 compare
3 Estonia 0.969 compare
5 Switzerland 0.967 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Ireland

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 137,869 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 69 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.887 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.822 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.956 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.619 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.956 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.887 (2025)

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Ireland?: Freedom of expression index in Ireland was 0.97 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Ireland?: The highest recorded value was 0.976 in 2012.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Ireland?: The lowest recorded value was 0.599 in 1816.
How does Ireland rank for freedom of expression index?: Ireland ranks 2nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Ireland?: Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Ireland 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.