Press Freedom Index in Canada
Canada: Press Freedom Index was 15.25 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
15.25
Change on year
down 0.3%
World rank
163rd
of 177 countries
All-time high
16.53
in 2017
All-time low
10.99
in 2014
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Canada, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Canada recorded 15.25 for press freedom index in 2021.
That represents a change of down 0.3% on the previous year and up 20.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Canada peaked at 16.53 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 10.99, in 2014.
Canada ranks 163rd of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12.69 | — |
| 2014 | 10.99 | -13.4% |
| 2015 | 10.99 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 15.26 | +38.9% |
| 2017 | 16.53 | +8.3% |
| 2018 | 15.28 | -7.6% |
| 2019 | 15.69 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 15.29 | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 15.25 | -0.3% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 15.25 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 66% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 13.92 | 10.99 | 16.53 | 7 |
| 2020s | 15.27 | 15.25 | 15.29 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More social development data for Canada
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 416,028 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 360 (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 360 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.01 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 Canada?
- Press freedom index in Canada was 15.25 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 16.53 in 2017.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.99 in 2014.
- How does Canada rank for press freedom index?
- Canada ranks 163rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Canada 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).