What is freedom of expression index in Italy?

Freedom of expression index in Italy was 0.756 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.955 in 2018.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.029 in 1932.

How does Italy rank for freedom of expression index?

Italy ranks 73rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Italy?

Over the last ten years it is down 20.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Italy 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 Italy

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

Italy: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.756 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.756

Change on year

down 9.5%

World rank

73rd

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.955

in 2018

All-time low

0.029

in 1932

Years of data

211

1815–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Italy, 1815–2025

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

Analysis

Italy recorded 0.756 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

That represents a change of down 9.5% on the previous year and down 20.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Italy peaked at 0.955 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.029, in 1932.

Italy ranks 73rd 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
1810s	0.096	0.096	0.096	5
1820s	0.096	0.096	0.096	10
1830s	0.1088	0.096	0.112	10
1840s	0.2014	0.112	0.585	10
1850s	0.625	0.625	0.625	10
1860s	0.6082	0.582	0.625	10
1870s	0.6023	0.581	0.61	10
1880s	0.6215	0.587	0.636	10
1890s	0.61	0.587	0.637	10
1900s	0.6841	0.679	0.686	10
1910s	0.6376	0.562	0.696	10
1920s	0.2623	0.035	0.68	10
1930s	0.0299	0.029	0.035	10
1940s	0.3324	0.029	0.762	10
1950s	0.7728	0.762	0.789	10
1960s	0.7891	0.787	0.802	10
1970s	0.8459	0.829	0.869	10
1980s	0.9176	0.896	0.92	10
1990s	0.9415	0.92	0.948	10
2000s	0.937	0.93	0.953	10
2010s	0.9462	0.93	0.955	10
2020s	0.8767	0.756	0.941	6

Countries ranked near Italy

71 Slovakia 0.765 compare
72 Peru 0.763 compare
73 Niger 0.756 compare
75 Bulgaria 0.754 compare
75 Malawi 0.754 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Italy

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 192,914 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 266 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.745 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.642 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.9 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.569 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.9 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.745 (2025)

All data for Italy →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Italy?: Freedom of expression index in Italy was 0.756 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Italy?: The highest recorded value was 0.955 in 2018.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Italy?: The lowest recorded value was 0.029 in 1932.
How does Italy rank for freedom of expression index?: Italy ranks 73rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Italy?: Over the last ten years it is down 20.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Italy 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 — 211 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.