What is press freedom index in Democratic Republic of Congo?

Press freedom index in Democratic Republic of Congo was 48.59 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?

The highest recorded value was 52.67 in 2017.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?

The lowest recorded value was 41.66 in 2013.

How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for press freedom index?

Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 32nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?

Over the last ten years it is up 16.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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 Democratic Republic of Congo

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

Democratic Republic of Congo: Press Freedom Index was 48.59 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

48.59

Change on year

down 1.0%

World rank

32nd

of 177 countries

All-time high

52.67

in 2017

All-time low

41.66

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Democratic Republic of Congo, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Democratic Republic of Congo is 48.59, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.0% on the previous year and up 16.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 52.67 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 41.66, in 2013.

Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 32nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	48.22	41.66	52.67	7
2020s	48.84	48.59	49.09	2

Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo

29 Bangladesh 49.71 compare
30 Honduras 49.35 compare
31 Russia 48.71 compare
33 Venezuela 47.6 compare
34 Burundi 47.57 compare
35 Algeria 47.26 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Democratic Republic of Congo

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 503,732 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 1.18 million (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.48 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.115 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.42 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.2 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.42 (2025)

All data for Democratic Republic of Congo →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Democratic Republic of Congo?: Press freedom index in Democratic Republic of Congo was 48.59 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?: The highest recorded value was 52.67 in 2017.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?: The lowest recorded value was 41.66 in 2013.
How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for press freedom index?: Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 32nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?: Over the last ten years it is up 16.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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).