What is freedom of expression index in Laos?

Freedom of expression index in Laos was 0.032 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.546 in 1958.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.015 in 1986.

How does Laos rank for freedom of expression index?

Laos ranks 170th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Laos?

Over the last ten years it is up 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Laos 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 Laos

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

Laos: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.032 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.032

Change on year

down 15.8%

World rank

170th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.546

in 1958

All-time low

0.015

in 1986

Years of data

230

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Laos, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, freedom of expression index in Laos stood at 0.032.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.8% on the previous year and up 33.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Laos peaked at 0.546 in 1958 and was at its lowest, 0.015, in 1986.

Laos ranks 170th of 176 countries on this measure, 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	0.138	0.138	0.138	1
1790s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1800s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1810s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1820s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1830s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1840s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1850s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1860s	0.138	0.138	0.138	10
1870s	0.1328	0.112	0.138	10
1880s	0.112	0.112	0.112	10
1890s	0.112	0.112	0.112	3
1900s	0.221	0.221	0.221	10
1910s	0.221	0.221	0.221	10
1920s	0.221	0.221	0.221	10
1930s	0.221	0.221	0.221	10
1940s	0.3295	0.218	0.396	10
1950s	0.4796	0.401	0.546	10
1960s	0.4238	0.406	0.488	10
1970s	0.2154	0.017	0.412	10
1980s	0.0168	0.015	0.017	10
1990s	0.017	0.017	0.017	10
2000s	0.0198	0.019	0.024	10
2010s	0.0246	0.022	0.029	10
2020s	0.0342	0.028	0.041	6

Countries ranked near Laos

167 China 0.045 compare
168 Tajikistan 0.043 compare
169 Turkmenistan 0.038 compare
171 Myanmar 0.026 compare
172 Belarus 0.025 compare
173 Eritrea 0.024 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Laos

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 80 (1987)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,489 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.135 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.144 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.118 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.144 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.135 (2025)

All data for Laos →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Laos?: Freedom of expression index in Laos was 0.032 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Laos?: The highest recorded value was 0.546 in 1958.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Laos?: The lowest recorded value was 0.015 in 1986.
How does Laos rank for freedom of expression index?: Laos ranks 170th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Laos?: Over the last ten years it is up 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Laos 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 — 230 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.