Key media freedoms in Zambia
Zambia: Key media freedoms was 0.665 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Zambia, 1911–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Zambia is 0.665, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 160.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Zambia peaked at 1.42 in 2022 and was at its lowest, -1.94, in 2016.
Zambia ranks 81st 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | -0.172 | -0.172 | -0.172 | 9 |
| 1920s | -0.172 | -0.172 | -0.172 | 10 |
| 1930s | -0.172 | -0.172 | -0.172 | 10 |
| 1940s | -0.3754 | -0.398 | -0.172 | 10 |
| 1950s | -0.398 | -0.398 | -0.398 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.1491 | -0.398 | 0.077 | 10 |
| 1970s | -0.8502 | -1.27 | 0.077 | 10 |
| 1980s | -1.27 | -1.27 | -1.27 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.1321 | -1.27 | 0.469 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.4194 | 0.221 | 0.469 | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.6945 | -1.94 | 0.342 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.4575 | -1.12 | 1.42 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 78 Croatia 0.722 compare
- 79 Philippines 0.712 compare
- 80 Mauritania 0.683 compare
- 82 Ecuador 0.653 compare
- 83 Bangladesh 0.614 compare
- 84 Italy 0.599 compare
More social development data for Zambia
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 83,225 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 346 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.497 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.778 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.746 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.497 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.348 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.375 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Zambia?
- Key media freedoms in Zambia was 0.665 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.42 in 2022.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.94 in 2016.
- How does Zambia rank for key media freedoms?
- Zambia ranks 81st out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 160.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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 — 115 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.