What is press freedom index in Eswatini?

Press freedom index in Eswatini was 46.34 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Eswatini?

The highest recorded value was 52.37 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Eswatini?

The lowest recorded value was 45.15 in 2020.

How does Eswatini rank for press freedom index?

Eswatini ranks 40th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Eswatini?

Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.

Where does this Eswatini 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 Eswatini

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

Eswatini: Press Freedom Index was 46.34 in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)

46.34

Change on year

up 2.6%

World rank

40th

of 177 countries

All-time high

52.37

in 2016

All-time low

45.15

in 2020

Years of data

2014–2021

Press Freedom Index in Eswatini, 2014–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Eswatini is 46.34, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.6% on the previous year and down 0.9% over ten years.

Eswatini ranks 40th of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	49.71	46.76	52.37	6
2020s	45.75	45.15	46.34	2

Countries ranked near Eswatini

37 Cambodia 46.84 compare
38 Mexico 46.71 compare
39 India 46.56 compare
41 Myanmar 46.14 compare
42 South Sudan 45.78 compare
43 Philippines 45.64 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Eswatini

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 1,414 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 220 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.023 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.097 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.206 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.206 (2025)

All data for Eswatini →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Eswatini?: Press freedom index in Eswatini was 46.34 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Eswatini?: The highest recorded value was 52.37 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Eswatini?: The lowest recorded value was 45.15 in 2020.
How does Eswatini rank for press freedom index?: Eswatini ranks 40th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Eswatini?: Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Eswatini 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 — 8 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).