Freedom of Expression Score in Malaysia
Malaysia: Freedom of Expression Score was 4 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Freedom of Expression Score in Malaysia, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Malaysia is 4, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 20.0% on the previous year and unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Malaysia peaked at 6 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 4, in 2015.
Malaysia ranks 62nd of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Freedom of Expression Score in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2007 | 6 | +20.0% |
| 2009 | 5 | -16.7% |
| 2011 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 4 | -20.0% |
| 2017 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 6 | +50.0% |
| 2021 | 5 | -16.7% |
| 2023 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 4 | -20.0% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 4 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5, 80% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 4 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3, 1.3× the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.33 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| 2010s | 4.8 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| 2020s | 4.67 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More social development data for Malaysia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 150,164 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,477 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (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 2,477 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0042 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 Malaysia?
- Freedom of expression score in Malaysia was 4 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 6 in 2007.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4 in 2015.
- How does Malaysia rank for freedom of expression score?
- Malaysia ranks 62nd out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.