What is key media freedoms in Panama?

Key media freedoms in Panama was 0.827 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Panama?

The highest recorded value was 1.66 in 2015.

What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Panama?

The lowest recorded value was -2.49 in 1968.

How does Panama rank for key media freedoms?

Panama ranks 73rd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.

Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Panama?

Over the last ten years it is down 50.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Panama 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.

Key media freedoms in Panama

Name: Key media freedoms in Panama
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Panama: Key media freedoms was 0.827 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.827

Change on year

down 4.9%

World rank

73rd

of 175 countries

All-time high

1.66

in 2015

All-time low

-2.49

in 1968

Years of data

123

1903–2025

Key media freedoms in Panama, 1903–2025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

Panama recorded 0.827 for key media freedoms in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.9% on the previous year and down 50.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Panama peaked at 1.66 in 2015 and was at its lowest, -2.49, in 1968.

That places Panama 73rd out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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	0.312	0.312	0.312	7
1910s	0.312	0.312	0.312	10
1920s	0.312	0.312	0.312	10
1930s	0.312	0.312	0.312	10
1940s	0.312	0.312	0.312	10
1950s	0.312	0.312	0.312	10
1960s	-0.2844	-2.49	0.312	10
1970s	-2.49	-2.49	-2.49	10
1980s	-2.49	-2.49	-2.49	10
1990s	1.58	1.53	1.66	10
2000s	1.48	1.06	1.53	10
2010s	1.22	1.06	1.66	10
2020s	0.7443	0.657	0.87	6

Countries ranked near Panama

70 Peru 0.909 compare
71 Slovakia 0.881 compare
72 United States 0.875 compare
74 Niger 0.79 compare
75 Georgia 0.789 compare
75 Guyana 0.789 compare

See the full ranking of 175 places →

More social development data for Panama

Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2,694 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 375 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.728 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.812 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.881 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.728 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.441 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.575 (2025)

All data for Panama →

Frequently asked questions

What is key media freedoms in Panama?: Key media freedoms in Panama was 0.827 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Panama?: The highest recorded value was 1.66 in 2015.
What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Panama?: The lowest recorded value was -2.49 in 1968.
How does Panama rank for key media freedoms?: Panama ranks 73rd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Panama?: Over the last ten years it is down 50.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Panama 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 — 123 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Key media freedoms
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 175 places, 21,793 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

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.