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.

Press Freedom Index in Iran

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

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

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%.

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

4 China 78.72 compare
5 Djibouti 78.62 compare
6 Vietnam 78.46 compare
8 Syria 70.63 compare
9 Laos 70.56 compare
10 Cuba 63.94 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Iran

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 770,514 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 157,912 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.093 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.103 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.248 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.042 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.248 (2025)

All data for Iran →

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

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).