Freedom of Expression Score in Kuwait
Kuwait: Freedom of Expression Score was 3 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Freedom of Expression Score in Kuwait, 2007–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Kuwait is 3, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 10 years on record.
The figure is down 40.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Kuwait peaked at 7 in 2009 and was at its lowest, 3, in 2023.
That places Kuwait 74th out of 128 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 10 years of available data.
Freedom of Expression Score in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 | — |
| 2009 | 7 | +16.7% |
| 2011 | 6 | -14.3% |
| 2013 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 5 | -16.7% |
| 2017 | 4 | -20.0% |
| 2019 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 2025 | 3 | +0.0% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 3 is below the median for high income countries, which is 7, 43% of the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 3 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2, 1.5× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6.5 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| 2020s | 3.33 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
- 74 Algeria 3 compare
- 74 Burkina Faso 3 compare
- 74 Burundi 3 compare
- 74 Congo 3 compare
- 74 Democratic Republic of Congo 3 compare
- 74 Ethiopia 3 compare
- 74 Guinea 3 compare
- 74 Haiti 3 compare
- 74 Jordan 3 compare
- 74 Kyrgyzstan 3 compare
- 74 Madagascar 3 compare
- 74 Mozambique 3 compare
- 74 Pakistan 3 compare
- 74 Rwanda 3 compare
- 74 Serbia 3 compare
- 74 Singapore 3 compare
- 74 South Sudan 3 compare
- 74 Thailand 3 compare
- 74 Togo 3 compare
- 74 Turkey 3 compare
- 74 Uzbekistan 3 compare
- 74 Venezuela 3 compare
- 74 Zimbabwe 3 compare
More social development data for Kuwait
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 386 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,369 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0007 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,369 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 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 Kuwait?
- Freedom of expression score in Kuwait was 3 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 7 in 2009.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 3 in 2023.
- How does Kuwait rank for freedom of expression score?
- Kuwait ranks 74th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kuwait 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.