Press Freedom Index in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Press Freedom Index was 37.29 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Bulgaria, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Bulgaria is 37.29, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of up 6.4% on the previous year and up 30.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Bulgaria peaked at 37.29 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 28.58, in 2013.
That places Bulgaria 69th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 28.58 | — |
| 2014 | 31.42 | +9.9% |
| 2015 | 32.91 | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 34.46 | +4.7% |
| 2017 | 35.01 | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 35.22 | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 35.11 | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 35.06 | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 37.29 | +6.4% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 37.29 is above the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 1.6× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 37.29 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 1.6× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 33.24 | 28.58 | 35.22 | 7 |
| 2020s | 36.17 | 35.06 | 37.29 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More social development data for Bulgaria
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 105,596 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 533 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 533 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0164 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 Bulgaria?
- Press freedom index in Bulgaria was 37.29 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 37.29 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.58 in 2013.
- How does Bulgaria rank for press freedom index?
- Bulgaria ranks 69th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Bulgaria 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).