What is press freedom index in China?

Press freedom index in China was 78.72 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in China?

The highest recorded value was 80.96 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in China?

The lowest recorded value was 72.91 in 2014.

How does China rank for press freedom index?

China ranks 4th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in China?

Over the last ten years it is up 7.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this China 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 China

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

China: Press Freedom Index was 78.72 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

78.72

Change on year

up 0.3%

World rank

4th

of 177 countries

All-time high

80.96

in 2016

All-time low

72.91

in 2014

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in China, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in China stood at 78.72.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 7.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in China peaked at 80.96 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 72.91, in 2014.

That places China 4th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	76.48	72.91	80.96	7
2020s	78.6	78.48	78.72	2

Countries ranked near China

1 Eritrea 81.45 compare
2 North Korea 81.28 compare
3 Turkmenistan 80.03 compare
5 Djibouti 78.62 compare
6 Vietnam 78.46 compare
7 Iran 72.7 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for China

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 230 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 153,962 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.03 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.039 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.179 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.036 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.179 (2025)

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in China?: Press freedom index in China was 78.72 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in China?: The highest recorded value was 80.96 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in China?: The lowest recorded value was 72.91 in 2014.
How does China rank for press freedom index?: China ranks 4th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in China?: Over the last ten years it is up 7.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this China 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).