Key media freedoms in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Key media freedoms was -0.654 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Zimbabwe, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded -0.654 for key media freedoms in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 69.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Zimbabwe peaked at 0.391 in 1900 and was at its lowest, -1.34, in 1970.
Zimbabwe ranks 130th 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 | 0.391 | 0.391 | 0.391 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.391 | 0.391 | 0.391 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.391 | 0.391 | 0.391 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.391 | 0.391 | 0.391 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.195 | -0.001 | 0.391 | 10 |
| 1950s | -0.0262 | -0.253 | -0.001 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.6941 | -1.05 | -0.253 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.34 | -1.34 | -1.34 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.2228 | -0.166 | 0.266 | 10 |
| 1990s | -0.4985 | -0.674 | -0.479 | 10 |
| 2000s | -1.08 | -1.22 | -0.674 | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.5123 | -0.626 | -0.381 | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.532 | -0.654 | -0.321 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More social development data for Zimbabwe
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,570 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,632 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.268 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.414 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.424 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.268 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.202 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.147 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Zimbabwe?
- Key media freedoms in Zimbabwe was -0.654 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 0.391 in 1900.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.34 in 1970.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for key media freedoms?
- Zimbabwe ranks 130th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 69.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.