What is freedom of expression index in Zimbabwe?

Freedom of expression index in Zimbabwe was 0.414 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

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

The highest recorded value was 0.532 in 2018.

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

The lowest recorded value was 0.107 in 1966.

How does Zimbabwe rank for freedom of expression index?

Zimbabwe ranks 132nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?

Over the last ten years it is down 7.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe: Freedom of Expression Index was 0.414 in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)

0.414

Change on year

down 5.9%

World rank

132nd

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.532

in 2018

All-time low

0.107

in 1966

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Freedom of Expression Index in Zimbabwe, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for freedom of expression index in Zimbabwe is 0.414, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.9% on the previous year and down 7.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, freedom of expression index in Zimbabwe peaked at 0.532 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.107, in 1966.

That places Zimbabwe 132nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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	0.378	0.378	0.378	10
1910s	0.378	0.378	0.378	10
1920s	0.378	0.378	0.378	10
1930s	0.378	0.378	0.378	10
1940s	0.3485	0.319	0.378	10
1950s	0.322	0.301	0.333	10
1960s	0.1929	0.107	0.301	10
1970s	0.118	0.118	0.118	10
1980s	0.3985	0.349	0.428	10
1990s	0.3901	0.383	0.412	10
2000s	0.3541	0.313	0.426	10
2010s	0.4513	0.408	0.532	10
2020s	0.4822	0.414	0.528	6

Countries ranked near Zimbabwe

129 Chad 0.427 compare
130 Serbia 0.424 compare
131 Ukraine 0.418 compare
133 Palestine 0.41 compare
135 Congo 0.373 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Zimbabwe

Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,570 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,632 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.268 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.147 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.381 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.202 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.381 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.268 (2025)

All data for Zimbabwe →

Frequently asked questions

What is freedom of expression index in Zimbabwe?: Freedom of expression index in Zimbabwe was 0.414 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest freedom of expression index recorded in Zimbabwe?: The highest recorded value was 0.532 in 2018.
What is the lowest freedom of expression index recorded in Zimbabwe?: The lowest recorded value was 0.107 in 1966.
How does Zimbabwe rank for freedom of expression index?: Zimbabwe ranks 132nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is freedom of expression index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?: Over the last ten years it is down 7.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Zimbabwe 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.