Key media freedoms in Congo
Congo: Key media freedoms was -2.13 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Congo, 1903–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in Congo stood at -2.13.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 13.5% on the previous year and down 13.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Congo peaked at 0.937 in 1991 and was at its lowest, -2.15, in 2022.
That places Congo 162nd out of 175 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | -1.22 | -1.22 | -1.22 | 7 |
| 1910s | -1.22 | -1.22 | -1.22 | 10 |
| 1920s | -1.22 | -1.22 | -1.22 | 10 |
| 1930s | -1.22 | -1.22 | -1.22 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.22 | -1.22 | -1.22 | 10 |
| 1950s | -1.22 | -1.22 | -1.22 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.1915 | -1.77 | 0.767 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.64 | -1.77 | -1.58 | 10 |
| 1980s | -1.58 | -1.58 | -1.58 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.4215 | -0.353 | 0.937 | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.8093 | -0.86 | -0.353 | 10 |
| 2010s | -1.55 | -1.88 | -0.86 | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.86 | -2.15 | -1.49 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Congo
More social development data for Congo
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 62,500 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 13,134 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.243 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.373 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.433 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.243 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.188 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.115 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Congo?
- Key media freedoms in Congo was -2.13 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 0.937 in 1991.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.15 in 2022.
- How does Congo rank for key media freedoms?
- Congo ranks 162nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Congo 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.
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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.