Press Freedom Index in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Press Freedom Index was 33.63 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
33.63
Change on year
up 2.5%
World rank
80th
of 177 countries
All-time high
50.34
in 2017
All-time low
32.82
in 2020
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Ethiopia, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Ethiopia is 33.63, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 2.5% on the previous year and down 15.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Ethiopia peaked at 50.34 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 32.82, in 2020.
Ethiopia ranks 80th of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 39.57 | — |
| 2014 | 40.58 | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 41.83 | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 45.13 | +7.9% |
| 2017 | 50.34 | +11.5% |
| 2018 | 50.17 | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 35.11 | -30.0% |
| 2020 | 32.82 | -6.5% |
| 2021 | 33.63 | +2.5% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 33.63 is below the median for low income countries, which is 40.2, 84% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 33.63 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 100% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 43.25 | 35.11 | 50.34 | 7 |
| 2020s | 33.23 | 32.82 | 33.63 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More social development data for Ethiopia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.01 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 164,215 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0012 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 164,215 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0075 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 Ethiopia?
- Press freedom index in Ethiopia was 33.63 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 50.34 in 2017.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.82 in 2020.
- How does Ethiopia rank for press freedom index?
- Ethiopia ranks 80th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ethiopia 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).