Key media freedoms in Spain
Spain: Key media freedoms was 1.17 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Spain, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in Spain stood at 1.17.
The figure is down 13.1% on the previous year and down 43.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Spain peaked at 2.24 in 2019 and was at its lowest, -2.85, in 1924.
Spain ranks 60th 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 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 10 |
| 1920s | -1.82 | -2.85 | 0.005 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.2353 | -2.85 | 1.35 | 10 |
| 1940s | -2.34 | -2.34 | -2.34 | 10 |
| 1950s | -2.34 | -2.34 | -2.34 | 10 |
| 1960s | -2.25 | -2.34 | -1.95 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.23 | -2.18 | 2.05 | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.05 | 2.05 | 2.05 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.05 | 2.05 | 2.05 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.05 | 2.05 | 2.05 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.07 | 2.05 | 2.24 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.74 | 1.17 | 2.17 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More social development data for Spain
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 511,079 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 186 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.822 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.843 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.915 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.822 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.572 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.741 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Spain?
- Key media freedoms in Spain was 1.17 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 2.24 in 2019.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.85 in 1924.
- How does Spain rank for key media freedoms?
- Spain ranks 60th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain 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.