Freedom of Expression Score in Lao PDR
Lao PDR: Freedom of Expression Score was 2 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Freedom of Expression Score in Lao PDR, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, freedom of expression score in Lao PDR stood at 2. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is up 100.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Lao PDR peaked at 2 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1, in 2005.
Lao PDR ranks 98th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2010s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2020s | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Lao PDR
- 98 Azerbaijan 2 compare
- 98 Belarus 2 compare
- 98 Cambodia 2 compare
- 98 Cameroon 2 compare
- 98 Chad 2 compare
- 98 Cuba 2 compare
- 98 Egypt, Arab Rep. 2 compare
- 98 Kazakhstan 2 compare
- 98 Mali 2 compare
- 98 Morocco 2 compare
- 98 Nicaragua 2 compare
- 98 Niger 2 compare
- 98 Russian Federation 2 compare
- 98 Saudi Arabia 2 compare
- 98 Somalia, Fed. Rep. 2 compare
- 98 Sudan 2 compare
- 98 United Arab Emirates 2 compare
More social development data for Lao PDR
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 80 (1987)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,489 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Human Rights Index vs. Electoral Democracy Index 0.144 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.135 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.047 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.032 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.118 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom of expression score in Lao PDR?
- Freedom of expression score in Lao PDR 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 Lao PDR?
- The highest recorded value was 2 in 2021.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Lao PDR?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 in 2005.
- How does Lao PDR rank for freedom of expression score?
- Lao PDR ranks 98th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Lao PDR?
- Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lao PDR 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.