Key media freedoms in China
China: Key media freedoms was -2.42 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in China, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
China recorded -2.42 for key media freedoms in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 44.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in China peaked at -0.472 in 1912 and was at its lowest, -3.12, in 1956.
China ranks 168th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | -1.02 | -1.02 | -1.02 | 10 |
| 1910s | -0.7203 | -1.02 | -0.472 | 10 |
| 1920s | -0.6414 | -0.711 | -0.624 | 10 |
| 1930s | -0.698 | -0.711 | -0.646 | 10 |
| 1940s | -0.7639 | -1.36 | -0.646 | 10 |
| 1950s | -3 | -3.12 | -2.92 | 10 |
| 1960s | -3.01 | -3.12 | -2.77 | 10 |
| 1970s | -2.71 | -3.12 | -1.11 | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.7029 | -0.918 | -0.679 | 10 |
| 1990s | -0.8198 | -1.28 | -0.674 | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.8695 | -1.13 | -0.612 | 10 |
| 2010s | -1.59 | -2.13 | -1.07 | 10 |
| 2020s | -2.16 | -2.42 | -1.95 | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
- 165 Russia -2.22 compare
- 166 Burundi -2.23 compare
- 167 Azerbaijan -2.27 compare
- 169 Afghanistan -2.55 compare
- 170 Turkmenistan -2.72 compare
- 171 North Korea -2.77 compare
More social development data for China
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 230 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 153,962 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.072 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.045 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.03 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.072 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.036 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.039 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in China?
- Key media freedoms in China was -2.42 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was -0.472 in 1912.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was -3.12 in 1956.
- How does China rank for key media freedoms?
- China ranks 168th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 44.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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.