What is press freedom index in Austria?

Press freedom index in Austria was 16.34 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Austria?

The highest recorded value was 16.34 in 2021.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Austria?

The lowest recorded value was 9.4 in 2013.

How does Austria rank for press freedom index?

Austria ranks 161st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Austria?

Over the last ten years it is up 73.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Austria 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 Austria

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

Austria: Press Freedom Index was 16.34 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

16.34

Change on year

up 3.5%

World rank

161st

of 177 countries

All-time high

16.34

in 2021

All-time low

9.4

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Austria, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in Austria stood at 16.34. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

That represents a change of up 3.5% on the previous year and up 73.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Austria peaked at 16.34 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 9.4, in 2013.

Austria ranks 161st of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	12.33	9.4	15.33	7
2020s	16.06	15.78	16.34	2

Countries ranked near Austria

159 Suriname 16.95 compare
160 Uruguay 16.38 compare
162 Iceland 15.37 compare
163 Canada 15.25 compare
163 Estonia 15.25 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Austria

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 286,651 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 33 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.883 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.757 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.907 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.582 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.907 (2025)

All data for Austria →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Austria?: Press freedom index in Austria was 16.34 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Austria?: The highest recorded value was 16.34 in 2021.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Austria?: The lowest recorded value was 9.4 in 2013.
How does Austria rank for press freedom index?: Austria ranks 161st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Austria?: Over the last ten years it is up 73.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Austria 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).