Freedom of Expression Score in Jamaica
Jamaica: Freedom of Expression Score was 9 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Freedom of Expression Score in Jamaica, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, freedom of expression score in Jamaica stood at 9. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 10.0% on the previous year and down 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Jamaica peaked at 10 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 9, in 2025.
Jamaica ranks 4th of 128 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Freedom of Expression Score in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 | — |
| 2007 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 9 | -10.0% |
Jamaica compared with similar countries
- Jamaica's 9 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5, 1.8× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Jamaica's 9 is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 7, 1.3× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| 2010s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| 2020s | 9.67 | 9 | 10 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
More social development data for Jamaica
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 31 (2022)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,642 (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 0.0009 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,642 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2022)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom of expression score in Jamaica?
- Freedom of expression score in Jamaica was 9 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 10 in 2005.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 9 in 2025.
- How does Jamaica rank for freedom of expression score?
- Jamaica ranks 4th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Jamaica 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.