What is freedom of expression index in Malta?

Freedom of expression index in Malta was 0.829 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.876 in 1987.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.79 in 1921.

How does Malta rank for freedom of expression index?

Malta ranks 54th out of 176 regions with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Malta?

Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Malta 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 Malta

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

Malta: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.829 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.829

Change on year

unchanged

Rank

54th

of 176 regions

All-time high

0.876

in 1987

All-time low

0.79

in 1921

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Malta, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, freedom of expression index in Malta stood at 0.829.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Malta peaked at 0.876 in 1987 and was at its lowest, 0.79, in 1921.

Malta ranks 54th of 176 regions on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 126 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1900s	0.807	0.807	0.807	10
1910s	0.807	0.807	0.807	10
1920s	0.7917	0.79	0.807	10
1930s	0.79	0.79	0.79	10
1940s	0.8023	0.79	0.831	10
1950s	0.831	0.831	0.831	10
1960s	0.8211	0.81	0.837	10
1970s	0.8001	0.799	0.81	10
1980s	0.8221	0.799	0.876	10
1990s	0.876	0.876	0.876	10
2000s	0.8746	0.864	0.876	10
2010s	0.8289	0.797	0.874	10
2020s	0.826	0.82	0.829	6

Countries ranked near Malta

51 South Africa 0.837 compare
52 Liberia 0.836 compare
53 United Kingdom 0.833 compare
55 Sierra Leone 0.823 compare
56 Israel 0.822 compare
57 Senegal 0.82 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Malta

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,306 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 11 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.783 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.621 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.915 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.529 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.915 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.783 (2025)

All data for Malta →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Malta?: Freedom of expression index in Malta was 0.829 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Malta?: The highest recorded value was 0.876 in 1987.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Malta?: The lowest recorded value was 0.79 in 1921.
How does Malta rank for freedom of expression index?: Malta ranks 54th out of 176 regions with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Malta?: Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Malta 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.