What is press freedom index in Germany?

Press freedom index in Germany was 15.24 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Germany?

The highest recorded value was 15.24 in 2021.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Germany?

The lowest recorded value was 10.23 in 2014.

How does Germany rank for press freedom index?

Germany ranks 165th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Germany?

Over the last ten years it is up 48.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Germany 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 Germany

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

Germany: Press Freedom Index was 15.24 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

15.24

Change on year

up 25.3%

World rank

165th

of 177 countries

All-time high

15.24

in 2021

All-time low

10.23

in 2014

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Germany, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Germany is 15.24, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

The figure is up 25.3% on the previous year and up 48.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Germany peaked at 15.24 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 10.23, in 2014.

That places Germany 165th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	12.96	10.23	14.97	7
2020s	13.7	12.16	15.24	2

Countries ranked near Germany

162 Iceland 15.37 compare
163 Canada 15.25 compare
163 Estonia 15.25 compare
167 Belgium 11.69 compare
168 Switzerland 10.55 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Germany

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2.66 million (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 327 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.852 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.782 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.94 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.593 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.94 (2025)

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Germany?: Press freedom index in Germany was 15.24 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Germany?: The highest recorded value was 15.24 in 2021.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Germany?: The lowest recorded value was 10.23 in 2014.
How does Germany rank for press freedom index?: Germany ranks 165th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Germany?: Over the last ten years it is up 48.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Germany 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).