Key media freedoms in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Key media freedoms was 0.288 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Bulgaria, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in Bulgaria stood at 0.288.
That represents a change of down 82.4% on the previous year and down 70.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Bulgaria peaked at 1.84 in 1990 and was at its lowest, -2.64, in 1948.
Bulgaria ranks 98th of 175 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0.455 | 0.455 | 0.455 | 10 |
| 1910s | -0.2018 | -0.499 | 0.455 | 10 |
| 1920s | -0.3096 | -0.45 | -0.084 | 10 |
| 1930s | -0.5566 | -1.46 | 0.464 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.59 | -2.64 | -1.08 | 10 |
| 1950s | -2.64 | -2.64 | -2.64 | 10 |
| 1960s | -2.64 | -2.64 | -2.64 | 10 |
| 1970s | -2.64 | -2.64 | -2.64 | 10 |
| 1980s | -2.64 | -2.64 | -2.64 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.65 | 1.52 | 1.84 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.5 | 1.43 | 1.52 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.02 | 0.743 | 1.34 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.19 | 0.288 | 1.66 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More social development data for Bulgaria
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 105,596 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 533 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.599 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.754 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.833 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.599 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.397 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.499 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Bulgaria?
- Key media freedoms in Bulgaria was 0.288 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 1.84 in 1990.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.64 in 1948.
- How does Bulgaria rank for key media freedoms?
- Bulgaria ranks 98th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which the government directly or indirectly attempts to censor political content in print and broadcast media, through formal restrictions or indirect pressures such as financial control, licensing, or access to distribution channels.