Top Countries with the Least Freedom of Expression

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Countries with the Least Freedom of Speech in 2025

Image Source: Global Freedom Reports 2025

The 2025 Freedom of Expression Index reveals alarming trends in global speech freedom, with some nations maintaining extreme restrictions on what their citizens can say, publish, or protest. Here’s a detailed look at the countries where freedom of expression is most suppressed.

1. North Korea: The Nation of Silence

Score: 0.012
North Korea continues to rank as the world’s most restrictive country regarding free speech. State-controlled media and harsh penalties silence dissent, making it virtually impossible for citizens to express themselves freely. International observers rarely access independent information from North Korea, and even foreign journalists face significant barriers.

2. Eritrea: The Isolated State

Score: 0.021
Eritrea’s government tightly controls the press, detaining journalists and punishing dissent. The country’s information landscape is bleak, with almost no room for independent journalism or public debate. Any criticism of authorities can lead to imprisonment or exile.

3. Nicaragua: Tighter Controls Under Ortega

Score: 0.026
Political repression has intensified in Nicaragua, with the government targeting independent media and activists. Laws are often used to curb free speech, making it arduous for opposition voices to be heard domestically or internationally.

4. Belarus: A Propaganda State

Score: 0.029
Under Lukashenko’s regime, Belarus’s media landscape is heavily manipulated. Journalists face harassment, imprisonment, or exile, and internet restrictions complicate access to unbiased information, stifling dissent across the country.

5. Laos, Turkmenistan, and China: Hidden Cages

Scores: Laos (0.038), Turkmenistan (0.044), China (0.044)
These nations are notorious for their tight grip on speech and information. China, with its extensive censorship apparatus, monitors online activities closely, suppressing political debate and activism, especially around sensitive topics like Tibet and Hong Kong.

6. Myanmar: Post-Coup Crackdowns

Score: 0.048
Following recent military coups, Myanmar’s civilian freedoms have eroded sharply. Media outlets face censorship, online speech is monitored, and many activists have been jailed for criticizing the military government.

7. Middle Eastern Countries: Restrictions in the Gulf

Scores: Qatar (0.055), United Arab Emirates (0.064), Syria (0.069)
These countries maintain strict controls over public discourse. Qatar and the UAE, while more liberal economically, restrict criticism of governments or royal families, especially on social media.

8. Russia and Saudi Arabia: Power and Control

Scores: Russia (0.079), Saudi Arabia (0.088)
Russia’s crackdown on independent journalism persists, especially with new laws targeting online voices. Saudi Arabia has expanded censorship after recent reforms, targeting dissenting voices and online activists.

9. Afghanistan and Cuba: Struggling for Voice

Scores: Afghanistan (0.090), Cuba (0.091)
Afghanistan’s turbulent political climate and Cuba’s one-party system severely restrict public debate. Journalists are often persecuted, and social media is heavily monitored.

10. Countries with Slightly More Freedom but Still Struggling

Scores: Tajikistan (0.115), Eswatini (0.117), Azerbaijan (0.129)
These nations show marginal improvements but still rank among the least free, with government surveillance, censorship, and harassment prominent.

11. The Middle East and Africa

Countries like Bahrain (0.132), Vietnam (0.138), and Oman (0.148) enforce strict controls, often citing national security concerns to justify censorship and criminalizing dissent.

12. Conflict Zones and Fragile Democracies

Syria (0.069), South Sudan (0.186), and Venezuela (0.223) are marked by ongoing conflict, corruption, or authoritarian rule, which all contribute to minimal free speech environments.

13. Europe and Beyond

Notably, Ukraine (0.417), Serbia (0.425), and Hungary (0.493) demonstrate that even in regions with a history of democratic openness, restrictions on speech are rising, often linked to political shifts or national security concerns.

Final Thoughts

The global landscape of free expression remains bleak for many, with authoritarian regimes tightening their grip and citizens facing increasing penalties for speaking out. The 2025 figures underscore the urgent need for international advocacy to combat censorship and support independent journalism worldwide.

Source: Freedom of Expression Index 2025

Note: The scores reflect the degree of speech restrictions—closer to 0 indicates severe repression, whereas higher values imply more openness.

Image Source: Global Freedom Reports 2025