Key media freedoms in Poland
Poland: Key media freedoms was 2.14 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Poland, 1918–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in Poland stood at 2.14.
That represents a change of down 19.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Poland peaked at 2.89 in 2008 and was at its lowest, -1.01, in 1944.
Poland ranks 22nd of 175 countries on this measure, in the top 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 2 |
| 1920s | 1.04 | 0.667 | 1.25 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.6247 | 0.54 | 0.667 | 9 |
| 1940s | -1.01 | -1.01 | -1.01 | 6 |
| 1950s | -0.8926 | -1.01 | -0.621 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.621 | -0.621 | -0.621 | 10 |
| 1970s | -0.621 | -0.621 | -0.621 | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.4963 | -0.621 | 0.626 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.11 | 2.11 | 2.11 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.17 | 1.65 | 2.89 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.84 | 0.294 | 2.89 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.6867 | -0.331 | 2.14 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Poland
More social development data for Poland
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 990,469 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 1,368 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.768 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.917 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.862 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.768 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.519 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.645 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Poland?
- Key media freedoms in Poland was 2.14 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Poland?
- The highest recorded value was 2.89 in 2008.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Poland?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.01 in 1944.
- How does Poland rank for key media freedoms?
- Poland ranks 22nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Poland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Poland 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 — 103 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.