What is press freedom index in Botswana?

Press freedom index in Botswana was 23.25 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Botswana?

The highest recorded value was 25.29 in 2018.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Botswana?

The lowest recorded value was 22.91 in 2013.

How does Botswana rank for press freedom index?

Botswana ranks 140th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Botswana?

Over the last ten years it is up 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Botswana 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 Botswana

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

Botswana: Press Freedom Index was 23.25 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

23.25

Change on year

down 1.3%

World rank

140th

of 177 countries

All-time high

25.29

in 2018

All-time low

22.91

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Botswana, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Botswana recorded 23.25 for press freedom index in 2021.

That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and up 1.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Botswana peaked at 25.29 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 22.91, in 2013.

Botswana ranks 140th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	23.85	22.91	25.29	7
2020s	23.41	23.25	23.56	2

Countries ranked near Botswana

137 Italy 23.39 compare
138 Czechia 23.38 compare
139 Andorra 23.32 compare
141 Burkina Faso 23.17 compare
142 Slovenia 23.1 compare
143 Slovakia 23.02 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Botswana

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 847 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 384 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.85 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.52 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.845 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.369 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.845 (2025)

All data for Botswana →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Botswana?: Press freedom index in Botswana was 23.25 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Botswana?: The highest recorded value was 25.29 in 2018.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Botswana?: The lowest recorded value was 22.91 in 2013.
How does Botswana rank for press freedom index?: Botswana ranks 140th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Botswana?: Over the last ten years it is up 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Botswana 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).