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.

Press Freedom Index in Ethiopia

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

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

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.

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

77 Montenegro 34.33 compare
78 Angola 34.06 compare
79 Kenya 33.65 compare
81 Paraguay 33.52 compare
82 Mali 33.5 compare
83 Liberia 33.36 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Ethiopia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 1.01 million (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 164,215 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.342 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.1 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.304 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.128 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.304 (2025)

All data for Ethiopia →

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

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).