Press Freedom Index in Belgium
Belgium: Press Freedom Index was 11.69 in 2021. ▼ Falling
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.
Press Freedom Index in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12.94 | — |
| 2014 | 12.8 | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 11.98 | -6.4% |
| 2016 | 14.18 | +18.4% |
| 2017 | 12.75 | -10.1% |
| 2018 | 13.16 | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 12.07 | -8.3% |
| 2020 | 12.57 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 11.69 | -7.0% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 11.69 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 51% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 11.69 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 50% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
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
- 166 Ireland 11.91 compare
- 168 Switzerland 10.55 compare
- 169 Portugal 10.11 compare
- 170 New Zealand 10.04 compare
More social development data for Belgium
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 186,393 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 113 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 113 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0156 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).