Freedom of Expression Score in Brazil
Brazil: Freedom of Expression Score was 7 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Freedom of Expression Score in Brazil, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Brazil is 7, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 16.7% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Brazil peaked at 8 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 6, in 2021.
Brazil ranks 19th of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Freedom of Expression Score in Brazil, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 7 | -12.5% |
| 2021 | 6 | -14.3% |
| 2023 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 7 | +16.7% |
Brazil compared with similar countries
- Brazil's 7 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5, 1.4× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Brazil's 7 is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 7, 1.0× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| 2010s | 7.8 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
| 2020s | 6.33 | 6 | 7 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Brazil
- 19 Albania 7 compare
- 19 Argentina 7 compare
- 19 Bhutan 7 compare
- 19 Bolivia 7 compare
- 19 Colombia 7 compare
- 19 Cote d'Ivoire 7 compare
- 19 Croatia 7 compare
- 19 Ecuador 7 compare
- 19 Lesotho 7 compare
- 19 Liberia 7 compare
- 19 Malawi 7 compare
- 19 Montenegro 7 compare
- 19 Namibia 7 compare
- 19 North Macedonia 7 compare
- 19 Panama 7 compare
- 19 Papua New Guinea 7 compare
- 19 Peru 7 compare
- 19 Romania 7 compare
- 19 Senegal 7 compare
- 19 South Africa 7 compare
- 19 Sri Lanka 7 compare
More social development data for Brazil
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 278,966 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6,306 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6,306 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0013 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 Brazil?
- Freedom of expression score in Brazil was 7 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Brazil?
- The highest recorded value was 8 in 2005.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Brazil?
- The lowest recorded value was 6 in 2021.
- How does Brazil rank for freedom of expression score?
- Brazil ranks 19th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Brazil?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Brazil 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.