Press Freedom Index in Iran
Iran: Press Freedom Index was 72.7 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
72.7
Change on year
up 12.2%
World rank
7th
of 177 countries
All-time high
73.4
in 2013
All-time low
60.71
in 2018
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Iran, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Iran stood at 72.7.
The figure is up 12.2% on the previous year and down 1.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Iran peaked at 73.4 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 60.71, in 2018.
That places Iran 7th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
Press Freedom Index in Iran, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73.4 | — |
| 2014 | 72.29 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 72.32 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 66.52 | -8.0% |
| 2017 | 65.12 | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 60.71 | -6.8% |
| 2019 | 64.41 | +6.1% |
| 2020 | 64.81 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 72.7 | +12.2% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 72.7 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 2.2× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Iran's 72.7 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 43.94, 1.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 67.82 | 60.71 | 73.4 | 7 |
| 2020s | 68.75 | 64.81 | 72.7 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More social development data for Iran
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 770,514 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 157,912 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0017 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 157,912 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0083 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 Iran?
- Press freedom index in Iran was 72.7 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 73.4 in 2013.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.71 in 2018.
- How does Iran rank for press freedom index?
- Iran ranks 7th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Iran 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).