Rabat – Morocco ranks 109th out of 179 countries in the 2026 Academic Freedom Index (AFI), according to a report by Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and the V-Dem Institute.
The ranking, which assesses the ability of scholars to research, teach, publish, and exchange ideas freely, reflects ongoing challenges faced by Moroccan academics.
The index measures academic freedom through multiple factors, including institutional autonomy, freedom of research and teaching, access to knowledge, and cultural expression.
Morocco’s position places it in the lower third globally, alongside nations such as Angola, Gabon, Ecuador, Singapore, and Kuwait.
Globally, the highest rankings go to the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Belgium. Within the Arab world, Lebanon leads, followed by Iraq, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
The report paints a sobering picture for the MENA region, where academic freedom remains restricted compared with Europe, North America, Oceania, Latin America, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
The data also points to a broader global decline. Between 2015 and 2025, academic freedom worsened in most countries. Institutional autonomy emerges as a central factor.
Universities with independence from government and external interference provide scholars with the protection needed to pursue knowledge without fear of censorship or reprisal.
Even countries with constitutional guarantees of autonomy have faced setbacks.
The study notes that 43 countries, including some in Europe, North America, and Latin America, saw significant weakening of university independence, signaling that the erosion of academic freedom extends beyond authoritarian regimes.
For Moroccan academics, the report further confirms the daily constraints they navigate.
Restrictions on research topics, teaching content, and academic expression continue to limit intellectual exploration and debate.
Scholars must often balance the pursuit of knowledge with existing political and institutional pressures, creating an environment where innovation and critical thinking struggle to thrive.
The report says that legal protections alone cannot guarantee academic freedom. Strong, independent institutions and respect for the rights of scholars remain essential.
Without these safeguards, universities risk becoming spaces constrained by regulation and oversight rather than hubs of critical thought and creativity.
Morocco’s 109th-place ranking is a stark reminder of the work still needed to create a more open and supportive environment for academia.
In a world where knowledge drives social, technological, and cultural progress, the ability of scholars to operate freely is a societal imperative.
