The Academic Freedom Index Update 2026 Report

In a report published by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the V-Dem Institute, Katrin Kinzelbach, Staffan I. Lindberg, Lars Lott, and Angelo V. Panaro published a report on the decline of academic freedom worldwide.

Abstract:

The Academic Freedom Index Update 2026 provides an overview on the state of academic freedom in 179 countries and territories around the world. It identifies 50 countries and territories that have experienced a statistically and substantially significant decline in academic freedom compared to ten years ago, while only nine countries saw an increase in academic freedom. The report also highlights the central role of institutional autonomy in safeguarding academic freedom: in countries where institutional autonomy is well protected, the freedom to research and teach is also more protected. Comparing the decline in institutional autonomy in the United States with that in other major autocratizing countries, we find that the decline in the United States has been faster and more pronounced.