The academic freedom index in Georgia declined in 2026 compared to the previous year, according to the Free to Think report released by the international organization Scholars at Risk.

According to the document, Georgia’s academic freedom index stood at 0.72 in 2025—classified as "mostly free"—but dropped to 0.58 in 2026, a level now classified as "moderately restricted."

“In Georgia, university students played a central role in nationwide protests against the pro-Russia, Georgian Dream-led government. While university administrations were largely supportive of student protesters, in recent years, Georgia’s government has increasingly taken actions to restrict university autonomy. These actions are reflected in Georgia’s AFi score, which has progressively declined since 2020, with the pace of decline appearing to accelerate from 2023 to 2024.

Beginning in the spring of 2024 through the reporting period, nationwide protests took place in Georgia. University students played a leading role in these movements. From May through August, the prospect of a new “foreign agents” law sparked protests among students and other young people across the country. Modeled after a Russian regulation, the law required that NGOs receiving 20 percent or more of their funding from sources abroad register with the government as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” The law was enacted on August 1, 2024. It was broadly viewed as intended to limit dissent prior to Georgia’s parliamentary l elections in October 2024.

After the Georgia Dream party won in October, university students and other young people again took to the streets. In November 2024, they protested against Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhize suspending negotiations for membership in the European Union. Students at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (TAFU) began a sit-in and strike, inspiring strikes on at least seven other university campuses across the country. Mass protests continued during the months that followed. The sit-in at TAFU lasted for more than 80 days, with police raiding the building three times before it came to an end.

Police responded to the protests with force, arresting protesters. Dozens of students reportedly face prosecution for their participation in protests, both in public spaces and on university grounds. While university administrations were largely supportive of student protesters, in some cases, universities worked closely with police. On November 19, 2024, police dismantled a student encampment and used pepper spray and water cannons to forcibly disperse students protesting at Tbilisi State University (TSU). At least 16 people were arrested and two injured. TSU’s rector reportedly allowed police to use university facilities as a base during the operation.

Against the backdrop of student protests, the Georgian government took actions to limit university autonomy and coerce universities into compliance. In recent years, according to experts, it has become increasingly clear that government authorities informally nominate rectors of universities. More specifically, observers attributed the Ministry of Education’s decision to withhold full accreditation from Ilia State University, despite the university’s positive evaluation, to students’ and staff members’ protests. The university was granted accreditation contingent on monitoring after one year. Likewise, the government’s decision to form a new commission on university reform—announced in January 2025 by Prime Minister Kobakhidze, together with the education minister and education and science advisers—was viewed as cover for a government crackdown on universities”, reads the report.