Media Corruption Score in China
China: Media Corruption Score was -2.23 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Media Corruption Score in China, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
China recorded -2.23 for media corruption score in 2025.
The figure is down 107.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, media corruption score in China peaked at -0.399 in 1900 and was at its lowest, -3.03, in 1966.
China ranks 169th of 175 countries on this measure, 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 | -0.399 | -0.399 | -0.399 | 10 |
| 1910s | -0.4478 | -0.46 | -0.399 | 10 |
| 1920s | -0.46 | -0.46 | -0.46 | 10 |
| 1930s | -0.46 | -0.46 | -0.46 | 10 |
| 1940s | -0.5251 | -1.11 | -0.46 | 10 |
| 1950s | -2.73 | -2.73 | -2.73 | 10 |
| 1960s | -2.85 | -3.03 | -2.73 | 10 |
| 1970s | -2.76 | -3.03 | -0.996 | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.908 | -0.996 | -0.776 | 10 |
| 1990s | -0.76 | -0.868 | -0.652 | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.5745 | -0.627 | -0.522 | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.9462 | -1.52 | -0.627 | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.88 | -2.23 | -1.52 | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
- 166 Tajikistan -2.12 compare
- 167 Nicaragua -2.14 compare
- 168 Equatorial Guinea -2.22 compare
- 170 Qatar -2.28 compare
- 171 Afghanistan -2.52 compare
- 172 Russia -2.71 compare
- 172 Turkmenistan -2.71 compare
More social development data for China
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 230 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 153,962 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.072 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.045 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.03 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.072 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.036 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.039 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is media corruption score in China?
- Media corruption score in China was -2.23 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest media corruption score recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was -0.399 in 1900.
- What is the lowest media corruption score recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was -3.03 in 1966.
- How does China rank for media corruption score?
- China ranks 169th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is media corruption score rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 107.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Media Corruption Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Gauges the frequency with which journalists, publishers, or broadcasters accept payments to modify news content, indicating the integrity (or corruption) of the media sphere.