Press Freedom Index in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Press Freedom Index was 40.19 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Press Freedom Index in Afghanistan, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Afghanistan stood at 40.19. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.6% on the previous year and up 7.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Afghanistan peaked at 40.19 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 36.55, in 2019.
That places Afghanistan 59th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 37.36 | — |
| 2014 | 37.07 | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 37.44 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 37.75 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 39.46 | +4.5% |
| 2018 | 37.28 | -5.5% |
| 2019 | 36.55 | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 37.7 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 40.19 | +6.6% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 40.19 is below the median for low income countries, which is 40.2, 100% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 40.19 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 43.94, 91% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 37.56 | 36.55 | 39.46 | 7 |
| 2020s | 38.95 | 37.7 | 40.19 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More social development data for Afghanistan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 20,869 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.67 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0609 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.67 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0005 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in Afghanistan?
- Press freedom index in Afghanistan was 40.19 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 40.19 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.55 in 2019.
- How does Afghanistan rank for press freedom index?
- Afghanistan ranks 59th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Press Freedom Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 9 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).