Key media freedoms in Burundi
Burundi: Key media freedoms was -2.23 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Burundi, 1916–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Burundi is -2.23, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Burundi peaked at 0.571 in 1993 and was at its lowest, -2.36, in 2017.
Burundi ranks 166th of 175 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | -1.11 | -1.11 | -1.11 | 4 |
| 1920s | -1.11 | -1.11 | -1.11 | 10 |
| 1930s | -1.11 | -1.11 | -1.08 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.08 | -1.08 | -1.08 | 10 |
| 1950s | -1.08 | -1.08 | -1.08 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.6619 | -1.48 | 0.212 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.5 | -1.69 | -1.23 | 10 |
| 1980s | -1.23 | -1.23 | -1.23 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.094 | -1.23 | 0.571 | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.0954 | -0.54 | 0.554 | 10 |
| 2010s | -1.42 | -2.36 | -0.6 | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.72 | -2.36 | -0.86 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Burundi
- 163 Nicaragua -2.21 compare
- 164 Tajikistan -2.22 compare
- 165 Russia -2.22 compare
- 167 Azerbaijan -2.27 compare
- 168 China -2.42 compare
- 169 Afghanistan -2.55 compare
More social development data for Burundi
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 110,800 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 318,291 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.185 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.164 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.226 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.185 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.142 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.06 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Burundi?
- Key media freedoms in Burundi was -2.23 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Burundi?
- The highest recorded value was 0.571 in 1993.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Burundi?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.36 in 2017.
- How does Burundi rank for key media freedoms?
- Burundi ranks 166th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Burundi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Burundi 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 — 110 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.