Key media freedoms in Somalia
Somalia: Key media freedoms was -1.2 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Somalia, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Somalia is -1.2, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 31.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Somalia peaked at 1.88 in 1960 and was at its lowest, -2.29, in 1970.
That places Somalia 143rd 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 | 0.195 | 0.195 | 0.195 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.195 | 0.195 | 0.195 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.195 | 0.195 | 0.195 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.195 | 0.195 | 0.195 | 10 |
| 1940s | -0.8435 | -1.2 | -0.804 | 10 |
| 1950s | -0.425 | -0.425 | -0.425 | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.51 | -1.79 | 1.88 | 10 |
| 1970s | -2.29 | -2.29 | -2.29 | 10 |
| 1980s | -1.91 | -2.29 | -1.82 | 10 |
| 1990s | -1.44 | -1.94 | -1.24 | 10 |
| 2000s | -1.09 | -1.09 | -1.09 | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.8889 | -1.44 | -0.58 | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.27 | -1.54 | -1.05 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Somalia
- 140 Qatar -1.11 compare
- 141 Kazakhstan -1.12 compare
- 142 Tanzania -1.16 compare
- 144 El Salvador -1.23 compare
- 145 Saudi Arabia -1.32 compare
- 146 Algeria -1.33 compare
More social development data for Somalia
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 20,967 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 892,037 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.165 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.619 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.445 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.165 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.095 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.128 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Somalia?
- Key media freedoms in Somalia was -1.2 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Somalia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.88 in 1960.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Somalia?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.29 in 1970.
- How does Somalia rank for key media freedoms?
- Somalia ranks 143rd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Somalia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Somalia 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.