What is press freedom index in Australia?

Press freedom index in Australia was 19.79 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Australia?

The highest recorded value was 20.21 in 2020.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Australia?

The lowest recorded value was 15.24 in 2013.

How does Australia rank for press freedom index?

Australia ranks 153rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Australia?

Over the last ten years it is up 29.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Australia 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.

Press Freedom Index in Australia

Name: Press Freedom Index in Australia
Creator: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Australia: Press Freedom Index was 19.79 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

19.79

Change on year

down 2.1%

World rank

153rd

of 177 countries

All-time high

20.21

in 2020

All-time low

15.24

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Australia, 2013–2021

Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

Australia recorded 19.79 for press freedom index in 2021.

The figure is down 2.1% on the previous year and up 29.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Australia peaked at 20.21 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 15.24, in 2013.

That places Australia 153rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	16.44	15.24	17.84	7
2020s	20	19.79	20.21	2

Countries ranked near Australia

150 Lithuania 20.15 compare
151 Cape Verde 20.09 compare
152 Cyprus 19.85 compare
154 Namibia 19.72 compare
156 Latvia 19.26 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Australia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 33,415 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 41 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.876 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.793 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.906 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.648 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.906 (2025)

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Australia?: Press freedom index in Australia was 19.79 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Australia?: The highest recorded value was 20.21 in 2020.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Australia?: The lowest recorded value was 15.24 in 2013.
How does Australia rank for press freedom index?: Australia ranks 153rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Australia?: Over the last ten years it is up 29.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Australia 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

Indicator: Press Freedom Index
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 177 places, 1,591 data points, 2013–2021
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).