What is freedom of expression index in Libya?

Freedom of expression index in Libya was 0.536 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.813 in 2012.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.029 in 1980.

How does Libya rank for freedom of expression index?

Libya ranks 117th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Libya?

Over the last ten years it is down 24.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Libya 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 Libya

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

Libya: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.536 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.536

Change on year

down 3.9%

World rank

117th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.813

in 2012

All-time low

0.029

in 1980

Years of data

152

1789–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Libya, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

Libya recorded 0.536 for freedom of expression index in 2025.

That represents a change of down 3.9% on the previous year and down 24.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Libya peaked at 0.813 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0.029, in 1980.

Libya ranks 117th 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
1780s	0.066	0.066	0.066	1
1790s	0.066	0.066	0.066	10
1800s	0.066	0.066	0.066	10
1810s	0.066	0.066	0.066	10
1820s	0.066	0.066	0.066	10
1830s	0.066	0.066	0.066	5
1910s	0.047	0.047	0.047	9
1920s	0.047	0.047	0.047	10
1930s	0.0458	0.045	0.047	10
1940s	0.045	0.045	0.045	2
1950s	0.2732	0.267	0.274	9
1960s	0.2685	0.116	0.289	10
1970s	0.031	0.031	0.031	10
1980s	0.029	0.029	0.029	10
1990s	0.029	0.029	0.029	10
2000s	0.0314	0.029	0.033	10
2010s	0.5869	0.033	0.813	10
2020s	0.5847	0.536	0.638	6

Countries ranked near Libya

114 Jordan 0.556 compare
115 Guinea-Bissau 0.552 compare
115 Tanzania 0.552 compare
118 Cameroon 0.532 compare
118 Kuwait 0.532 compare
120 Bangladesh 0.527 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Libya

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 552,523 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 17,161 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.193 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.098 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.323 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.087 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.323 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.193 (2025)

All data for Libya →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Libya?: Freedom of expression index in Libya was 0.536 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Libya?: The highest recorded value was 0.813 in 2012.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Libya?: The lowest recorded value was 0.029 in 1980.
How does Libya rank for freedom of expression index?: Libya ranks 117th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Libya?: Over the last ten years it is down 24.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Libya 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 — 152 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.