The V-Dem Institute, based in Sweden and well-known for its periodic reports on the state of democracy and academic freedom in the world, has recently released the Academic Freedom Index update 2026. The report presents an alarming state of academic freedom across the globe, especially in countries once renowned for the academic freedom of their institutions.

The report defines academic freedom as a multi-dimensional concept that incorporates both individual and institutional dimensions. In turn, the Academic Freedom Index reflects this by assessing de facto protection of freedoms at both levels using the statistical model developed by the V-Dem project. For this purpose, it relies on the expertise of more than 2,000 scholars worldwide and a wide range of available data.

For this report, indicators of AFI, at an individual level, include the freedom to research and teach, the freedom of academic exchange and dissemination, and the freedom of academic and cultural expression. At an institutional level, indicators include institutional autonomy and campus integrity, meant to safeguard academic institutions from undue interference from non-academic actors.

Global Decline In Academic Freedom

According to the report, over the past decade, academic freedom has declined in 50 countries and improved only in 9. Further, while all dimensions of academic freedom are declining more than improving, declines in specific dimensions and campus integrity are the most widespread.

Data indicate that in 2025 academic freedom remained more protected in Latin America, Europe, North America, and large parts of Southern and Western Africa than in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

In the period........

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