Press Freedom Index in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Press Freedom Index was 30.44 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Hong Kong, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Hong Kong recorded 30.44 for press freedom index in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 16.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Hong Kong peaked at 30.44 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 26.16, in 2013.
That places Hong Kong 101st out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Hong Kong, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26.16 | — |
| 2014 | 26.55 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 27.76 | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 28.5 | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 29.46 | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 29.04 | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 29.65 | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 30.01 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 30.44 | +1.4% |
Hong Kong compared with similar countries
- Hong Kong's 30.44 is above the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 1.3× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Hong Kong's 30.44 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 81% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 28.16 | 26.16 | 29.65 | 7 |
| 2020s | 30.23 | 30.01 | 30.44 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Hong Kong
- 98 Albania 30.59 compare
- 99 El Salvador 30.49 compare
- 100 Malta 30.46 compare
- 102 Kyrgyzstan 30.37 compare
- 103 Panama 29.94 compare
- 104 Sierra Leone 29.61 compare
More social development data for Hong Kong
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 236 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 245 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (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 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 245 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -9.23 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in Hong Kong?
- Press freedom index in Hong Kong was 30.44 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Hong Kong?
- The highest recorded value was 30.44 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Hong Kong?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.16 in 2013.
- How does Hong Kong rank for press freedom index?
- Hong Kong ranks 101st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Hong Kong?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Hong Kong 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).