What is press freedom index in France?

Press freedom index in France was 22.6 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in France?

The highest recorded value was 23.83 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in France?

The lowest recorded value was 21.15 in 2015.

How does France rank for press freedom index?

France ranks 144th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in France?

Over the last ten years it is up 4.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.

Where does this France 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 France

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

France: Press Freedom Index was 22.6 in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)

22.6

Change on year

down 1.4%

World rank

144th

of 177 countries

All-time high

23.83

in 2016

All-time low

21.15

in 2015

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in France, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in France stood at 22.6.

The figure is down 1.4% on the previous year and up 4.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in France peaked at 23.83 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 21.15, in 2015.

France ranks 144th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	22.11	21.15	23.83	7
2020s	22.76	22.6	22.92	2

Countries ranked near France

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for France

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 788,419 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 166 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.889 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.8 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.917 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.597 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.917 (2025)

All data for France →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in France?: Press freedom index in France was 22.6 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in France?: The highest recorded value was 23.83 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in France?: The lowest recorded value was 21.15 in 2015.
How does France rank for press freedom index?: France ranks 144th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in France?: Over the last ten years it is up 4.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this France 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).