What is press freedom index in Iraq?

Press freedom index in Iraq was 55.57 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Iraq?

The highest recorded value was 56.56 in 2018.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Iraq?

The lowest recorded value was 44.67 in 2013.

How does Iraq rank for press freedom index?

Iraq ranks 18th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Iraq?

Over the last ten years it is up 24.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Iraq 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 Iraq

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

Iraq: Press Freedom Index was 55.57 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

55.57

Change on year

up 0.4%

World rank

18th

of 177 countries

All-time high

56.56

in 2018

All-time low

44.67

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Iraq, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in Iraq stood at 55.57.

That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and up 24.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Iraq peaked at 56.56 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 44.67, in 2013.

That places Iraq 18th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	50.77	44.67	56.56	7
2020s	55.47	55.37	55.57	2

Countries ranked near Iraq

15 Egypt 56.17 compare
16 Libya 55.73 compare
17 Equatorial Guinea 55.67 compare
19 Tajikistan 55.52 compare
20 Somalia 55.47 compare
21 Singapore 55.2 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Iraq

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 322,345 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 270,671 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.578 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.22 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.521 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.224 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.521 (2025)

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Iraq?: Press freedom index in Iraq was 55.57 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Iraq?: The highest recorded value was 56.56 in 2018.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Iraq?: The lowest recorded value was 44.67 in 2013.
How does Iraq rank for press freedom index?: Iraq ranks 18th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Iraq?: Over the last ten years it is up 24.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Iraq 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).