Freedom of Expression Score in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan: Freedom of Expression Score was 2 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Freedom of Expression Score in Azerbaijan, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Azerbaijan is 2, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 33.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Azerbaijan peaked at 4 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 2, in 2017.
Azerbaijan ranks 98th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Freedom of Expression Score in Azerbaijan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | — |
| 2007 | 4 | +33.3% |
| 2009 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 2011 | 4 | +33.3% |
| 2013 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 2015 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 2 | -33.3% |
| 2019 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 2 | +0.0% |
Azerbaijan compared with similar countries
- Azerbaijan's 2 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5, 40% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Azerbaijan's 2 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6, 33% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.33 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 2010s | 2.8 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 2020s | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Azerbaijan
- 98 Belarus 2 compare
- 98 Cambodia 2 compare
- 98 Cameroon 2 compare
- 98 Chad 2 compare
- 98 Cuba 2 compare
- 98 Egypt 2 compare
- 98 Kazakhstan 2 compare
- 98 Laos 2 compare
- 98 Mali 2 compare
- 98 Morocco 2 compare
- 98 Nicaragua 2 compare
- 98 Niger 2 compare
- 98 Russia 2 compare
- 98 Saudi Arabia 2 compare
- 98 Somalia 2 compare
- 98 Sudan 2 compare
- 98 United Arab Emirates 2 compare
More social development data for Azerbaijan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6,389 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 130,983 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0128 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 130,983 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0006 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom of expression score in Azerbaijan?
- Freedom of expression score in Azerbaijan was 2 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Azerbaijan?
- The highest recorded value was 4 in 2007.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Azerbaijan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2 in 2017.
- How does Azerbaijan rank for freedom of expression score?
- Azerbaijan ranks 98th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Azerbaijan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Azerbaijan data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Freedom of Expression Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Indicates the extent to which individuals, groups, and the press can express their views free from government interference.