What is press freedom index in Ireland?

Press freedom index in Ireland was 11.91 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Ireland?

The highest recorded value was 15 in 2019.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Ireland?

The lowest recorded value was 10.06 in 2013.

How does Ireland rank for press freedom index?

Ireland ranks 166th out of 177 regions with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Ireland?

Over the last ten years it is up 18.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Ireland 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 Ireland

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

Ireland: Press Freedom Index was 11.91 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

11.91

Change on year

down 5.5%

Rank

166th

of 177 regions

All-time high

in 2019

All-time low

10.06

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Ireland, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Ireland recorded 11.91 for press freedom index in 2021.

The figure is down 5.5% on the previous year and up 18.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Ireland peaked at 15 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 10.06, in 2013.

Ireland ranks 166th of 177 regions on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	12.6	10.06	15	7
2020s	12.25	11.91	12.6	2

Countries ranked near Ireland

163 Canada 15.25 compare
163 Estonia 15.25 compare
165 Germany 15.24 compare
167 Belgium 11.69 compare
168 Switzerland 10.55 compare
169 Portugal 10.11 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Ireland

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 137,869 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 69 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.912 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.822 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.956 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.619 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.956 (2025)

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Ireland?: Press freedom index in Ireland was 11.91 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Ireland?: The highest recorded value was 15 in 2019.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Ireland?: The lowest recorded value was 10.06 in 2013.
How does Ireland rank for press freedom index?: Ireland ranks 166th out of 177 regions with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Ireland?: Over the last ten years it is up 18.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Ireland 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).