Freedom of Expression Score in Yemen
Yemen: Freedom of Expression Score was 1 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Freedom of Expression Score in Yemen, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, freedom of expression score in Yemen stood at 1. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 66.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, freedom of expression score in Yemen peaked at 5 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 1, in 2019.
That places Yemen 116th out of 128 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Freedom of Expression Score in Yemen, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2007 | 4 | -20.0% |
| 2009 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 2013 | 4 | +33.3% |
| 2015 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 2017 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 1 | -66.7% |
| 2021 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 1 | +0.0% |
Yemen compared with similar countries
- Yemen's 1 is below the median for low income countries, which is 3, 33% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Yemen's 1 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2, 50% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.33 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| 2010s | 2.8 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2020s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Yemen
More social development data for Yemen
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 49,107 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 57,327 (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 0.0014 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 57,327 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0012 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2018)
Frequently asked questions
- What is freedom of expression score in Yemen?
- Freedom of expression score in Yemen was 1 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest freedom of expression score recorded in Yemen?
- The highest recorded value was 5 in 2005.
- What is the lowest freedom of expression score recorded in Yemen?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 in 2019.
- How does Yemen rank for freedom of expression score?
- Yemen ranks 116th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is freedom of expression score rising or falling in Yemen?
- Over the last ten years it is down 66.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Yemen 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.