Press Freedom Index in Germany
Germany: Press Freedom Index was 15.24 in 2021. ▲ Rising
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.
Press Freedom Index in Germany, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 10.24 | — |
| 2014 | 10.23 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 11.47 | +12.1% |
| 2016 | 14.8 | +29.0% |
| 2017 | 14.97 | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 14.39 | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 14.6 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 12.16 | -16.7% |
| 2021 | 15.24 | +25.3% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 15.24 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 66% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Germany's 15.24 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 65% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
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
More social development data for Germany
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.66 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 327 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 327 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0318 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 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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).