Press Freedom Index in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Press Freedom Index was 8.76 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Press Freedom Index in Costa Rica, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Costa Rica is 8.76, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 16.8% on the previous year and down 27.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Costa Rica peaked at 14.01 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 8.76, in 2021.
Costa Rica ranks 173rd of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12.08 | — |
| 2014 | 12.23 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 12.26 | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 11.1 | -9.5% |
| 2017 | 11.93 | +7.5% |
| 2018 | 14.01 | +17.4% |
| 2019 | 12.24 | -12.6% |
| 2020 | 10.53 | -14.0% |
| 2021 | 8.76 | -16.8% |
Costa Rica compared with similar countries
- Costa Rica's 8.76 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 38% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Costa Rica's 8.76 is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 31.12, 28% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 12.26 | 11.1 | 14.01 | 7 |
| 2020s | 9.64 | 8.76 | 10.53 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
More social development data for Costa Rica
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 36,395 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 367 (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 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 367 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0071 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 Costa Rica?
- Press freedom index in Costa Rica was 8.76 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 14.01 in 2018.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.76 in 2021.
- How does Costa Rica rank for press freedom index?
- Costa Rica ranks 173rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Costa Rica 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).