Freedom of Expression Score in Senegal
Senegal: Freedom of Expression Score was 7 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Freedom of Expression Score in Senegal, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Senegal is 7, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Senegal peaked at 9 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 7, in 2007.
That places Senegal 19th out of 128 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Freedom of Expression Score in Senegal, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 9 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | -22.2% |
| 2009 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 8 | +14.3% |
| 2013 | 9 | +12.5% |
| 2015 | 8 | -11.1% |
| 2017 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 7 | -12.5% |
| 2021 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 7 | +0.0% |
Senegal compared with similar countries
- Senegal's 7 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 4, 1.8× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Senegal's 7 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4, 1.8× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 7.67 | 7 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | 8 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
| 2020s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Senegal
- 19 Albania 7 compare
- 19 Argentina 7 compare
- 19 Bhutan 7 compare
- 19 Bolivia 7 compare
- 19 Brazil 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 South Africa 7 compare
- 19 Sri Lanka 7 compare
More social development data for Senegal
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 17,259 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 13,028 (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 0.0007 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 13,028 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom of expression score in Senegal?
- Freedom of expression score in Senegal 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 Senegal?
- The highest recorded value was 9 in 2005.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Senegal?
- The lowest recorded value was 7 in 2007.
- How does Senegal rank for freedom of expression score?
- Senegal ranks 19th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Senegal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Senegal 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.