What is freedom of expression index in Malawi?

Freedom of expression index in Malawi was 0.754 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.826 in 2013.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.016 in 1967.

How does Malawi rank for freedom of expression index?

Malawi ranks 75th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Malawi?

Over the last ten years it is down 8.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Malawi 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 Malawi

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

Malawi: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.754 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.754

Change on year

down 3.8%

World rank

75th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.826

in 2013

All-time low

0.016

in 1967

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Malawi, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for freedom of expression index in Malawi is 0.754, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.8% on the previous year and down 8.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Malawi peaked at 0.826 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0.016, in 1967.

Malawi ranks 75th 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
1900s	0.023	0.023	0.023	10
1910s	0.023	0.023	0.023	10
1920s	0.023	0.023	0.023	10
1930s	0.023	0.023	0.023	10
1940s	0.0279	0.023	0.032	10
1950s	0.0296	0.028	0.032	10
1960s	0.0378	0.016	0.07	10
1970s	0.016	0.016	0.016	10
1980s	0.016	0.016	0.016	10
1990s	0.3965	0.016	0.663	10
2000s	0.7089	0.682	0.731	10
2010s	0.7913	0.713	0.826	10
2020s	0.7838	0.741	0.82	6

Countries ranked near Malawi

72 Peru 0.763 compare
73 Italy 0.756 compare
73 Niger 0.756 compare
75 Bulgaria 0.754 compare
77 Paraguay 0.751 compare
78 Gabon 0.748 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Malawi

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 35,241 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 551 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.557 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.462 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.806 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.366 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.806 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.557 (2025)

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Malawi?: Freedom of expression index in Malawi was 0.754 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Malawi?: The highest recorded value was 0.826 in 2013.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Malawi?: The lowest recorded value was 0.016 in 1967.
How does Malawi rank for freedom of expression index?: Malawi ranks 75th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Malawi?: Over the last ten years it is down 8.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malawi 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 — 126 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.