What is press freedom index in Belgium?

Press freedom index in Belgium was 11.69 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Belgium?

The highest recorded value was 14.18 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Belgium?

The lowest recorded value was 11.69 in 2021.

How does Belgium rank for press freedom index?

Belgium ranks 167th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Belgium?

Over the last ten years it is down 9.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Belgium 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 Belgium

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

Belgium: Press Freedom Index was 11.69 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)

11.69

Change on year

down 7.0%

World rank

167th

of 177 countries

All-time high

14.18

in 2016

All-time low

11.69

in 2021

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Belgium, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in Belgium stood at 11.69. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.0% on the previous year and down 9.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Belgium peaked at 14.18 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 11.69, in 2021.

Belgium ranks 167th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	12.84	11.98	14.18	7
2020s	12.13	11.69	12.57	2

Countries ranked near Belgium

165 Germany 15.24 compare
168 Switzerland 10.55 compare
169 Portugal 10.11 compare
170 New Zealand 10.04 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Belgium

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 186,393 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 113 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.896 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.794 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.955 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.633 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.955 (2025)

All data for Belgium →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Belgium?: Press freedom index in Belgium was 11.69 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Belgium?: The highest recorded value was 14.18 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Belgium?: The lowest recorded value was 11.69 in 2021.
How does Belgium rank for press freedom index?: Belgium ranks 167th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Belgium?: Over the last ten years it is down 9.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Belgium 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).