Press Freedom Index Score 2019

The Press Freedom Index Score measures the level of media freedom in countries worldwide. A higher score indicates stronger press independence, essential for democracy and transparency. Understanding these scores helps highlight the importance of free expression in society.

177 data points•Updated 12/7/2025•World•Reporters Without Borders (RSF)•

View data for:

Interactive Map

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Norway	92.18 points
2	Finland	92.1 points
3	Sweden	91.69 points
4	Netherlands	91.37 points
5	Denmark	90.13 points
6	Switzerland	89.48 points
7	New Zealand	89.25 points
8	Jamaica	88.87 points
9	Belgium	87.93 points
10	Costa Rica	87.76 points
11	Estonia	87.73 points
12	Portugal	87.37 points
13	Germany	85.4 points
14	Iceland	85.29 points
15	Ireland	85 points
16	Austria	84.67 points
17	Luxembourg	84.34 points
18	Canada	84.31 points
19	Uruguay	83.94 points
20	Suriname	83.62 points
21	Australia	83.45 points
22	Samoa	81.75 points
23	Namibia	81.05 points
24	Latvia	80.47 points
25	Cabo Verde	80.19 points
26	Liechtenstein	79.51 points
27	Ghana	79.19 points
28	Cyprus	78.26 points
29	Spain	78.01 points
30	Lithuania	77.94 points
31	South Africa	77.81 points
32	France	77.79 points
33	United Kingdom	77.77 points
34	Slovenia	77.69 points
35	Slovakia	76.42 points
36	Burkina Faso	75.47 points
37	Andorra	75.37 points
38	Papua New Guinea	75.3 points
39	Trinidad and Tobago	75.26 points
40	Czech Republic	75.11 points
41	South Korea	75.06 points
42	Italy	75.02 points
43	Taiwan	75.02 points
44	Botswana	74.91 points
45	Tonga	74.59 points
46	Chile	74.35 points
47	Romania	74.33 points
48	United States	74.31 points
49	Senegal	74.19 points
50	Guyana	73.37 points
51	Fiji	72.82 points
52	Belize	72.5 points
53	Madagascar	72.24 points
54	Dominican Republic	72.1 points
55	Comoros	72.09 points
56	Argentina	71.7 points
57	Mauritius	71.54 points
58	Poland	71.11 points
59	Armenia	71.02 points
60	Georgia	71.02 points
61	Haiti	71 points
62	Bosnia and Herzegovina	70.98 points
63	Croatia	70.97 points
64	Greece	70.92 points
65	Niger	70.74 points
66	Japan	70.64 points
67	Malawi	70.64 points
68	Seychelles	70.59 points
69	Mongolia	70.49 points
70	Côte d'Ivoire	70.48 points
71	Tunisia	70.39 points
72	China, Hong Kong SAR	70.35 points
73	Togo	70.31 points
74	Lesotho	70.26 points
75	Malta	70.26 points
76	Panama	70.22 points
77	Bhutan	70.19 points
78	El Salvador	70.19 points
79	Albania	70.16 points
80	Kyrgyzstan	70.08 points
81	Timor-Leste	70.07 points
82	Peru	69.78 points
83	Sierra Leone	69.64 points
84	Hungary	69.56 points
85	Israel	69.2 points
86	Guinea-Bissau	69.05 points
87	Serbia	68.82 points
88	Republic of Moldova	68.79 points
89	Gambia	68.65 points
90	Liberia	68.51 points
91	Mauritania	68.35 points
92	North Macedonia	68.34 points
93	Benin	68.26 points
94	Ecuador	68.12 points
95	Maldives	67.84 points
96	Paraguay	67.6 points
97	Kenya	67.56 points
98	Lebanon	67.56 points
99	Ukraine	67.54 points
100	Mozambique	67.34 points
101	Montenegro	67.26 points
102	Brazil	67.21 points
103	Nepal	66.6 points
104	Guinea	66.51 points
105	Kuwait	66.14 points
106	Angola	65.04 points
107	Bulgaria	64.89 points
108	Ethiopia	64.89 points
109	Mali	64.77 points
110	Bolivia	64.62 points
111	Nicaragua	64.47 points
112	Gabon	64.4 points
113	Guatemala	64.06 points
114	Congo	63.96 points
115	Tanzania	63.72 points
116	Zambia	63.62 points
117	Nigeria	63.5 points
118	Afghanistan	63.45 points
119	Chad	63.29 points
120	Malaysia	63.26 points
121	Indonesia	63.23 points
122	Uganda	60.58 points
123	Sri Lanka	60.39 points
124	Zimbabwe	57.77 points
125	Qatar	57.49 points
126	Colombia	57.18 points
127	Jordan	56.89 points
128	Cameroon	56.68 points
129	Oman	56.58 points
130	United Arab Emirates	56.37 points
131	Philippines	56.09 points
132	Morocco	56.02 points
133	Thailand	55.9 points
134	State of Palestine	55.32 points
135	Myanmar	55.08 points
136	South Sudan	54.35 points
137	India	54.33 points
138	Algeria	54.25 points
139	Pakistan	54.17 points
140	Cambodia	54.1 points
141	Mexico	53.22 points
142	Central African Republic	52.73 points
143	Honduras	51.47 points
144	Eswatini	50.91 points
145	Venezuela	50.9 points
146	Russia	49.69 points
147	Bangladesh	49.26 points
148	Singapore	48.59 points
149	Brunei Darussalam	48.52 points
150	Belarus	48.34 points
151	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	48.29 points
152	Rwanda	47.57 points
153	Iraq	47.4 points
154	Turkey	47.19 points
155	Kazakhstan	47.18 points
156	Burundi	47.11 points
157	Uzbekistan	46.48 points
158	Tajikistan	45.98 points
159	Libya	44.23 points
160	Egypt	43.53 points
161	Somalia	42.76 points
162	Equatorial Guinea	41.65 points
163	Azerbaijan	40.87 points
164	Bahrain	38.69 points
165	Yemen	38.34 points
166	Cuba	36.19 points
167	Iran	35.59 points
168	Laos	35.51 points
169	Saudi Arabia	34.12 points
170	Djibouti	28.64 points
171	Syrian Arab Republic	28.22 points
172	Sudan	27.55 points
173	Vietnam	25.07 points
174	China	21.08 points
175	Eritrea	19.74 points
176	North Korea	16.6 points
177	Turkmenistan	14.56 points

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

The Press Freedom Index Score for 2019 offers a compelling snapshot of media independence around the globe, highlighting both the champions and the challengers in the realm of press freedom. This metric serves as a crucial barometer for democracy and transparency worldwide, emphasizing the significance of free expression in society. Analyzing global statistics from this year, we can observe important trends and patterns that reflect the geopolitical, cultural, and economic influences on press freedom.

Global Leaders in Press Freedom

In 2019, Nordic countries once again demonstrated their commitment to media independence, with Norway leading the way with a Press Freedom Index Score of 92.18. Following closely were Finland (92.1) and Sweden (91.69), illustrating a regional trend of robust legal frameworks and societal values that prioritize free speech and journalistic integrity. These countries set a global benchmark, characterized by governmental transparency and limited media ownership concentration, which fosters a diverse and independent media landscape. The Netherlands (91.37) and Denmark (90.13) also featured prominently, underscoring Northern Europe's role as a bastion for press freedom.

Struggling Nations and Press Freedom Challenges

Conversely, the Press Freedom Index for 2019 highlights countries where media independence faces severe restrictions. Turkmenistan, with a score of 14.56, exhibited the most significant limitations on press freedom, closely followed by North Korea (16.6) and Eritrea (19.74). These countries are characterized by tightly controlled state media and censorship, where journalists face extreme risk and public access to information is severely restricted. In these environments, the press is often used as an instrument of propaganda rather than a platform for dialogue and accountability. Such challenges highlight the enduring struggle for freedom of expression in regions under authoritarian governance.

Notable Yearly Fluctuations

The year 2019 saw significant fluctuations in press freedom scores across various nations. Ethiopia experienced the most substantial improvement with an increase of 15.06 points, marking a 30.2% rise. This positive change can be attributed to political reforms and a more open media environment under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which allowed greater media freedom and reduced censorship. Similarly, Malaysia and Equatorial Guinea witnessed notable improvements of 10.67 (20.3%) and 8.12 (24.2%) points, respectively, due to political shifts and policy changes promoting media independence.

In contrast, the Central African Republic saw the largest decline, with its score dropping by 12.02 points, a decrease of 18.6% from the previous year. This regression is largely due to ongoing conflict and instability, creating a hazardous environment for journalists and stifling free expression. Other countries like Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Tajikistan also experienced declines, reflecting rising authoritarian tendencies and crackdowns on independent journalism.

Regional Disparities in Press Freedom

The Press Freedom Index Score of 2019 reveals stark regional disparities. Western Europe continues to lead in press freedom, attributed to its stable democracies and strong legal protections for journalists. However, regions like the Middle East and North Africa remain challenging environments for the press. For instance, countries such as Saudi Arabia (34.12) and Sudan (27.55) face significant obstacles, including state censorship and intimidation, which impede journalistic practices.

In Asia, contrasting dynamics are observed, with countries like China (21.08) and Vietnam (25.07) enforcing stringent control over media, whereas New Zealand (89.25) exemplifies a progressive approach towards press freedom. These variations highlight the complex interplay of political governance, economic conditions, and cultural context on media independence across different regions.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Importance of Press Freedom

The 2019 Press Freedom Index Score provides invaluable insights into the state of global media freedom, highlighting the intricate balance between governance, policy, and press independence. As we reflect on these figures, the importance of safeguarding press freedom becomes increasingly apparent, as it remains a cornerstone of democratic societies and a vital component of accountability and transparency. Continued vigilance and advocacy are crucial to ensure that media independence is upheld, fostering a world where information is freely accessible and diverse voices are heard.

Insights by country

Mauritius

Mauritius achieved a commendable Press Freedom Index Score of 71.54 points in 2019, placing it 57th out of 177 countries evaluated. This ranking highlights Mauritius as one of the more progressive African nations in terms of media freedom, reflecting a relatively open environment for journalists and media outlets.

The strong score can be attributed to several factors, including a vibrant and diverse media landscape, a history of democratic governance, and legal protections for freedom of expression. However, challenges remain, such as occasional government pressure on media outlets and the existence of defamation laws that can inhibit free reporting.

Interestingly, Mauritius is often cited as a model for other African nations, showcasing how a stable political climate combined with a commitment to civil liberties can foster a healthier media environment. The country's ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and combat corruption further support its high standing in press freedom.

Laos

In 2019, Laos ranked 168th out of 177 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 35.51 points. This position reflects a severely restricted media environment, where government control over information is pervasive and dissenting voices are often silenced.

The low ranking is attributed to stringent laws that limit freedom of expression, a lack of independent media outlets, and the government's tight grip on both print and broadcast media. Journalists face harassment, intimidation, and even imprisonment for reporting on sensitive issues, particularly those related to the government and its policies.

Additionally, the overall political landscape in Laos, a one-party socialist republic, contributes to a culture where media serves primarily as a tool for state propaganda rather than a platform for public discourse. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in promoting human rights and democratic freedoms within the country.

Estonia

In 2019, Estonia achieved a notable Press Freedom Index Score of 87.73 points, ranking 11th out of 177 countries. This ranking reflects Estonia's commitment to maintaining a free and independent press, which is crucial for democratic governance and transparency.

The high score can be attributed to a robust legal framework protecting freedom of expression, a diverse media landscape, and the absence of significant governmental censorship. Estonia's proactive stance on digital rights and access to information further enhances the press's ability to operate freely.

Interestingly, Estonia is often recognized as a leader in digital innovation and e-governance, which has contributed positively to its media environment. The country’s strong emphasis on information technology and digital literacy has enabled journalists to access and disseminate information effectively, reinforcing its position as a model for press freedom in the region.

Australia

In 2019, Australia achieved a notable Press Freedom Index Score of 83.45 points, ranking 21st out of 177 countries. This score reflects a relatively high level of press freedom compared to many other nations, indicating a robust environment for journalism and media.

The ranking and score can be attributed to several factors, including a strong legal framework that supports freedom of expression and a diverse media landscape. However, challenges such as government surveillance, legal pressures on journalists, and recent raids on media organizations have raised concerns about the future of press freedom in the country.

Additionally, Australia has a rich tradition of investigative journalism and a vibrant civil society that advocates for transparency and accountability, which further contributes to its standing in the global press freedom landscape. Nonetheless, the increasing tension between national security and the rights of journalists poses ongoing challenges that could impact future rankings.

Indonesia

In 2019, Indonesia achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 63.23 points, ranking 121 out of 177 countries. This score reflects a moderate level of press freedom, suggesting that while the media landscape allows for some degree of reporting and expression, it still faces significant challenges.

The factors contributing to this score include a complex political environment, where media outlets often navigate government pressure and regulatory constraints. Issues such as censorship, intimidation of journalists, and occasional violence against the press are prevalent, impacting the overall freedom of expression in the country.

Despite these challenges, Indonesia is recognized for having a vibrant online media sector, which has become a platform for diverse voices and public discourse. However, the government has also been known to impose restrictions on digital content, illustrating the ongoing struggle for true press freedom in the nation.

Afghanistan

In 2019, Afghanistan ranked 118th out of 177 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 63.45 points. This ranking reflects significant challenges faced by journalists and media organizations in the country, particularly in relation to censorship, violence against reporters, and the overarching influence of both state and non-state actors.

The relatively low score and rank can be attributed to ongoing conflict, political instability, and the persistent threats posed by extremist groups, which create a hostile environment for free expression. Journalists often face risks including intimidation, harassment, and even murder, which significantly impacts their ability to report freely and safely.

Additionally, while Afghanistan has seen improvements in media freedom since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the situation remains precarious, with over 1,500 media outlets operating in the country by 2019, many struggling to maintain independence and safety. The complexities of the political landscape further complicate efforts to uphold press freedom, making Afghanistan one of the more challenging environments for journalism globally.

Honduras

In 2019, Honduras achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 51.47 points, ranking 143rd out of 177 countries. This score reflects significant challenges to media freedom, with the country grappling with issues such as violence against journalists and governmental pressure on the press.

The low ranking can be attributed to a myriad of factors, including a history of political instability, corruption, and a culture of impunity that discourages independent journalism. Journalists in Honduras often face threats, harassment, and even murder, which has fostered a climate of fear and self-censorship.

Additionally, the media landscape is heavily influenced by political affiliations, leading to biased reporting and limited investigative journalism. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has frequently expressed concerns regarding the safety of journalists in Honduras, emphasizing the dire need for protective measures and reforms to promote press freedom.

Cyprus

In 2019, Cyprus achieved a Press Freedom Index score of 78.26 points, ranking it 28th out of 177 countries. This score reflects a relatively strong commitment to press freedom within the region, indicating a favorable environment for journalists and media outlets.

The high ranking can be attributed to several factors, including a legal framework that supports freedom of expression and a diverse media landscape. However, challenges remain, such as political pressures and issues related to the protection of journalists, which can occasionally affect the overall media environment.

Additionally, Cyprus's position is notably higher than many of its neighboring countries, underscoring its role as a regional leader in promoting journalistic freedom. The country has made significant strides in recent years, contributing to a more vibrant and independent media sector.

Jamaica

In 2019, Jamaica achieved a remarkable Press Freedom Index Score of 88.87 points, ranking 8th out of 177 countries. This high score indicates a strong commitment to freedom of the press and a vibrant media landscape, characterized by a diverse range of outlets and a generally free environment for journalists to operate.

The positive ranking can be attributed to several factors, including a longstanding tradition of free speech and a legal framework that supports press freedom. Additionally, the absence of significant government censorship and a relatively low level of violence against journalists have contributed to this favorable environment.

It is noteworthy that Jamaica's media landscape is marked by a mix of private and public broadcasters, which enhances the diversity of viewpoints available to the public. The country's high ranking in the Press Freedom Index reflects its efforts to maintain a robust democratic society, despite challenges such as political pressures and economic factors that can impact media operations.

Brazil

In 2019, Brazil was ranked 102nd out of 177 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 67.21 points. This ranking indicates a moderate level of press freedom, reflecting various challenges faced by journalists and media organizations in the country.

The relatively low score can be attributed to several factors, including increased violence against journalists, political polarization, and attempts by government officials to undermine media credibility. During this period, journalists faced threats and intimidation, particularly when reporting on sensitive topics such as corruption and human rights abuses.

Additionally, Brazil's media landscape is characterized by a concentration of ownership, which can limit diversity of viewpoints and restrict independent journalism. Despite these challenges, Brazil continues to have a vibrant civil society that advocates for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights.

Data Source

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Reporters Without Borders (RWB) is an international non-profit organisation governed by principles of democratic governance. We are neither a trade union nor a representative of media companies. Founded in 1985 in Montpellier by four journalists, RSF is at the forefront of the defence and promotion of freedom of information. Recognised as a public interest organisation in France since 1995, RSF has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF).

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Press Freedom Index Score data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

More Communications Facts

Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population)

Discover the internet usage rate by country, showcasing the percentage of the population online. This statistic highlights digital accessibility and connectivity trends globally, emphasizing the importance of internet access in today's world.

View data

Browse All Communications

Explore more facts and statistics in this category

All Categories

Discover more categories with comprehensive global data