What is press freedom index in Iceland?

Press freedom index in Iceland was 15.37 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Iceland?

The highest recorded value was 15.37 in 2021.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Iceland?

The lowest recorded value was 8.49 in 2013.

How does Iceland rank for press freedom index?

Iceland ranks 162nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Iceland?

Over the last ten years it is up 81.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Iceland 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 Iceland

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

Iceland: Press Freedom Index was 15.37 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

15.37

Change on year

up 1.7%

World rank

162nd

of 177 countries

All-time high

15.37

in 2021

All-time low

8.49

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Iceland, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Iceland recorded 15.37 for press freedom index in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 81.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Iceland peaked at 15.37 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 8.49, in 2013.

Iceland ranks 162nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	12.57	8.49	15.3	7
2020s	15.24	15.12	15.37	2

Countries ranked near Iceland

159 Suriname 16.95 compare
160 Uruguay 16.38 compare
161 Austria 16.34 compare
163 Canada 15.25 compare
163 Estonia 15.25 compare
165 Germany 15.24 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Iceland

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,459 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 0 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.917 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.72 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.95 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.565 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.95 (2025)

All data for Iceland →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Iceland?: Press freedom index in Iceland was 15.37 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Iceland?: The highest recorded value was 15.37 in 2021.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Iceland?: The lowest recorded value was 8.49 in 2013.
How does Iceland rank for press freedom index?: Iceland ranks 162nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Iceland?: Over the last ten years it is up 81.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Iceland 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).