Key media freedoms in Laos
Laos: Key media freedoms was -1.48 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Laos, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Laos is -1.48, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 34.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Laos peaked at 0.46 in 1958 and was at its lowest, -2.67, in 2017.
Laos ranks 148th 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 | -0.569 | -0.569 | -0.569 | 10 |
| 1910s | -0.569 | -0.569 | -0.569 | 10 |
| 1920s | -0.569 | -0.569 | -0.569 | 10 |
| 1930s | -0.569 | -0.569 | -0.569 | 10 |
| 1940s | -0.212 | -0.569 | -0.141 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.1372 | -0.076 | 0.46 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.2947 | -0.319 | -0.076 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.24 | -2.25 | -0.319 | 10 |
| 1980s | -2.25 | -2.25 | -2.25 | 10 |
| 1990s | -2.25 | -2.25 | -2.25 | 10 |
| 2000s | -2.25 | -2.25 | -2.25 | 10 |
| 2010s | -2.38 | -2.67 | -2.25 | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.48 | -1.48 | -1.48 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More social development data for Laos
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 80 (1987)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,489 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.135 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.032 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.047 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.135 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.118 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Laos?
- Key media freedoms in Laos was -1.48 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 0.46 in 1958.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.67 in 2017.
- How does Laos rank for key media freedoms?
- Laos ranks 148th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos 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.