What is freedom of expression index in Zambia?

Freedom of expression index in Zambia was 0.778 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.841 in 2022.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.161 in 1976.

How does Zambia rank for freedom of expression index?

Zambia ranks 67th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Zambia?

Over the last ten years it is up 17.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Zambia 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 Zambia

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

Zambia: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.778 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.778

Change on year

down 0.8%

World rank

67th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.841

in 2022

All-time low

0.161

in 1976

Years of data

115

1911–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Zambia, 1911–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for freedom of expression index in Zambia is 0.778, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.8% on the previous year and up 17.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Zambia peaked at 0.841 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 0.161, in 1976.

Zambia ranks 67th 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
1910s	0.237	0.237	0.237	9
1920s	0.2346	0.233	0.237	10
1930s	0.233	0.233	0.233	10
1940s	0.2512	0.233	0.285	10
1950s	0.2927	0.285	0.296	10
1960s	0.3581	0.313	0.387	10
1970s	0.2376	0.161	0.397	10
1980s	0.161	0.161	0.161	10
1990s	0.6416	0.228	0.734	10
2000s	0.7477	0.723	0.77	10
2010s	0.6683	0.579	0.747	10
2020s	0.7605	0.634	0.841	6

Countries ranked near Zambia

64 Haiti 0.799 compare
65 Botswana 0.798 compare
66 Sao Tome and Principe 0.793 compare
68 Romania 0.777 compare
69 Guyana 0.771 compare
69 Mongolia 0.771 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Zambia

Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 83,225 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 346 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.497 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.375 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.773 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.348 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.773 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.497 (2025)

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Zambia?: Freedom of expression index in Zambia was 0.778 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Zambia?: The highest recorded value was 0.841 in 2022.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Zambia?: The lowest recorded value was 0.161 in 1976.
How does Zambia rank for freedom of expression index?: Zambia ranks 67th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Zambia?: Over the last ten years it is up 17.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Zambia 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 — 115 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.