Press Freedom Index in Estonia
Estonia: Press Freedom Index was 15.25 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Estonia, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Estonia is 15.25, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 20.9% on the previous year and up 64.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Estonia peaked at 15.25 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 9.26, in 2013.
That places Estonia 163rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Estonia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 9.26 | — |
| 2014 | 9.63 | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 11.19 | +16.2% |
| 2016 | 14.31 | +27.9% |
| 2017 | 13.55 | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 14.08 | +3.9% |
| 2019 | 12.27 | -12.9% |
| 2020 | 12.61 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 15.25 | +20.9% |
Estonia compared with similar countries
- Estonia's 15.25 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 66% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Estonia's 15.25 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 65% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 12.04 | 9.26 | 14.31 | 7 |
| 2020s | 13.93 | 12.61 | 15.25 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Estonia
More social development data for Estonia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 41,299 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 86 (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 86 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0302 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 Estonia?
- Press freedom index in Estonia 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 Estonia?
- The highest recorded value was 15.25 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Estonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.26 in 2013.
- How does Estonia rank for press freedom index?
- Estonia ranks 163rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Estonia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 64.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Estonia 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).