Media Corruption Score in Zambia
Zambia: Media Corruption Score was 0.697 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Media Corruption Score in Zambia, 1911–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for media corruption score in Zambia is 0.697, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 20.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, media corruption score in Zambia peaked at 1.12 in 2021 and was at its lowest, -2.42, in 1974.
That places Zambia 80th out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 | -1.31 | -1.31 | -1.31 | 9 |
| 1920s | -1.31 | -1.31 | -1.31 | 10 |
| 1930s | -1.31 | -1.31 | -1.31 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.31 | -1.31 | -1.31 | 10 |
| 1950s | -1.31 | -1.31 | -1.31 | 10 |
| 1960s | -1.17 | -1.31 | -1.07 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.88 | -2.42 | -1.07 | 10 |
| 1980s | -2.42 | -2.42 | -2.42 | 10 |
| 1990s | -0.6075 | -2.42 | -0.234 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.4341 | 0.24 | 0.498 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.6389 | 0.389 | 1.04 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.7995 | 0.697 | 1.12 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
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 media corruption score in Zambia?
- Media corruption score in Zambia was 0.697 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest media corruption score recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.12 in 2021.
- What is the lowest media corruption score recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.42 in 1974.
- How does Zambia rank for media corruption score?
- Zambia ranks 80th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is media corruption score rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.2%. 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 Media Corruption Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 115 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.