What is freedom of expression index in Kazakhstan?

Freedom of expression index in Kazakhstan was 0.329 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.494 in 1990.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.012 in 1934.

How does Kazakhstan rank for freedom of expression index?

Kazakhstan ranks 140th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Kazakhstan?

Over the last ten years it is down 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan

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

Kazakhstan: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.329 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.329

Change on year

down 8.4%

World rank

140th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.494

in 1990

All-time low

0.012

in 1934

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Kazakhstan, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

Kazakhstan recorded 0.329 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.4% on the previous year and down 2.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Kazakhstan peaked at 0.494 in 1990 and was at its lowest, 0.012, in 1934.

That places Kazakhstan 140th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.

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	0.1825	0.031	0.236	10
1920s	0.0243	0.018	0.032	10
1930s	0.0132	0.012	0.015	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	0.4414	0.392	0.494	10
2000s	0.3616	0.345	0.398	10
2010s	0.3258	0.28	0.343	10
2020s	0.347	0.314	0.389	6

Countries ranked near Kazakhstan

137 Syria 0.358 compare
138 El Salvador 0.356 compare
141 Sudan 0.289 compare
142 Ethiopia 0.285 compare
143 Burkina Faso 0.261 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Kazakhstan

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 4,377 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 4,144 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.259 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.131 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.513 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.107 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.513 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.259 (2025)

All data for Kazakhstan →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Kazakhstan?: Freedom of expression index in Kazakhstan was 0.329 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Kazakhstan?: The highest recorded value was 0.494 in 1990.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Kazakhstan?: The lowest recorded value was 0.012 in 1934.
How does Kazakhstan rank for freedom of expression index?: Kazakhstan ranks 140th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Kazakhstan?: Over the last ten years it is down 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Kazakhstan 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.