Key media freedoms in Lesotho
Lesotho: Key media freedoms was 1.05 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Lesotho, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Lesotho is 1.05, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 118.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Lesotho peaked at 1.11 in 2019 and was at its lowest, -1.68, in 1900.
Lesotho ranks 64th 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 | -1.68 | -1.68 | -1.68 | 10 |
| 1910s | -1.68 | -1.68 | -1.68 | 10 |
| 1920s | -1.68 | -1.68 | -1.68 | 10 |
| 1930s | -1.68 | -1.68 | -1.68 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.68 | -1.68 | -1.68 | 10 |
| 1950s | -1.68 | -1.68 | -1.68 | 10 |
| 1960s | -1.23 | -1.68 | -0.558 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.2 | -1.2 | -1.2 | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.8395 | -1.21 | -0.247 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.5163 | -0.247 | 0.858 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.7101 | 0.484 | 0.807 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.5378 | 0.195 | 1.11 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.9138 | 0.7 | 1.05 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 61 Taiwan 1.12 compare
- 62 Tunisia 1.09 compare
- 63 Greece 1.06 compare
- 65 Papua New Guinea 1.02 compare
- 66 Sao Tome and Principe 1.02 compare
- 67 Costa Rica 0.934 compare
More social development data for Lesotho
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 478 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 27 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.661 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.728 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.873 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.661 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.404 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.512 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Lesotho?
- Key media freedoms in Lesotho was 1.05 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 1.11 in 2019.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.68 in 1900.
- How does Lesotho rank for key media freedoms?
- Lesotho ranks 64th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 118.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.