What is press freedom index in India?

Press freedom index in India was 46.56 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in India?

The highest recorded value was 46.56 in 2021.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in India?

The lowest recorded value was 40.34 in 2014.

How does India rank for press freedom index?

India ranks 39th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in India?

Over the last ten years it is up 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this India 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 India

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

India: Press Freedom Index was 46.56 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

46.56

Change on year

up 2.7%

World rank

39th

of 177 countries

All-time high

46.56

in 2021

All-time low

40.34

in 2014

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in India, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in India is 46.56, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

The figure is up 2.7% on the previous year and up 13.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in India peaked at 46.56 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 40.34, in 2014.

India ranks 39th of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	42.44	40.34	45.67	7
2020s	45.95	45.33	46.56	2

Countries ranked near India

36 Pakistan 46.86 compare
37 Cambodia 46.84 compare
38 Mexico 46.71 compare
40 Eswatini 46.34 compare
41 Myanmar 46.14 compare
42 South Sudan 45.78 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for India

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 238,643 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 42,610 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.586 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.26 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.534 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.246 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.534 (2025)

All data for India →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in India?: Press freedom index in India was 46.56 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in India?: The highest recorded value was 46.56 in 2021.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in India?: The lowest recorded value was 40.34 in 2014.
How does India rank for press freedom index?: India ranks 39th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in India?: Over the last ten years it is up 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this India 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).