What is press freedom index in Belarus?

Press freedom index in Belarus was 50.82 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Belarus?

The highest recorded value was 54.32 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Belarus?

The lowest recorded value was 47.82 in 2014.

How does Belarus rank for press freedom index?

Belarus ranks 23rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Belarus?

Over the last ten years it is up 5.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Belarus 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 Belarus

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

Belarus: Press Freedom Index was 50.82 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

50.82

Change on year

up 2.2%

World rank

23rd

of 177 countries

All-time high

54.32

in 2016

All-time low

47.82

in 2014

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Belarus, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in Belarus stood at 50.82.

The figure is up 2.2% on the previous year and up 5.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Belarus peaked at 54.32 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 47.82, in 2014.

Belarus ranks 23rd of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	50.74	47.82	54.32	7
2020s	50.28	49.75	50.82	2

Countries ranked near Belarus

20 Somalia 55.47 compare
21 Singapore 55.2 compare
22 Sudan 52.93 compare
24 Uzbekistan 50.74 compare
25 Rwanda 50.66 compare
26 Kazakhstan 50.28 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Belarus

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 40,794 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 19,462 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.07 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.038 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.221 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.054 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.221 (2025)

All data for Belarus →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Belarus?: Press freedom index in Belarus was 50.82 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Belarus?: The highest recorded value was 54.32 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Belarus?: The lowest recorded value was 47.82 in 2014.
How does Belarus rank for press freedom index?: Belarus ranks 23rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Belarus?: Over the last ten years it is up 5.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Belarus 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).