Freedom of Expression Score in Syria
Syria: Freedom of Expression Score was 6 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Freedom of Expression Score in Syria, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for freedom of expression score in Syria is 6, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.
That represents a change of up 500.0% on the previous year and up 200.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Syria peaked at 6 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1, in 2005.
That places Syria 41st out of 128 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Freedom of Expression Score in Syria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | — |
| 2007 | 2 | +100.0% |
| 2009 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 1 | -50.0% |
| 2025 | 6 | +500.0% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 6 is above the median for low income countries, which is 3, 2.0× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Syria's 6 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2, 3.0× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.67 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2010s | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2020s | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Syria
- 41 Benin 6 compare
- 41 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6 compare
- 41 Bulgaria 6 compare
- 41 Central African Republic 6 compare
- 41 Mongolia 6 compare
- 41 Paraguay 6 compare
- 41 South Korea 6 compare
More social development data for Syria
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9,885 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4.87 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.1899 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4.87 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0004 units per person (2025)
- 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 Syria?
- Freedom of expression score in Syria was 6 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 6 in 2025.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 in 2005.
- How does Syria rank for freedom of expression score?
- Syria ranks 41st out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Syria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 200.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Syria 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Indicates the extent to which individuals, groups, and the press can express their views free from government interference.