What is press freedom index in Jamaica?

Press freedom index in Jamaica was 9.96 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Jamaica?

The highest recorded value was 12.73 in 2017.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Jamaica?

The lowest recorded value was 9.88 in 2013.

How does Jamaica rank for press freedom index?

Jamaica ranks 171st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Jamaica?

Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.

Where does this Jamaica 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 Jamaica

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

Jamaica: Press Freedom Index was 9.96 in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)

9.96

Change on year

down 5.2%

World rank

171st

of 177 countries

All-time high

12.73

in 2017

All-time low

9.88

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Jamaica, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Jamaica recorded 9.96 for press freedom index in 2021.

That represents a change of down 5.2% on the previous year and up 0.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Jamaica peaked at 12.73 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 9.88, in 2013.

That places Jamaica 171st out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	11.37	9.88	12.73	7
2020s	10.23	9.96	10.51	2

Countries ranked near Jamaica

168 Switzerland 10.55 compare
169 Portugal 10.11 compare
170 New Zealand 10.04 compare
172 Netherlands 9.67 compare
173 Costa Rica 8.76 compare
174 Denmark 8.57 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Jamaica

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 31 (2022)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 2,642 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.879 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.679 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.876 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.524 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.876 (2025)

All data for Jamaica →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Jamaica?: Press freedom index in Jamaica was 9.96 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Jamaica?: The highest recorded value was 12.73 in 2017.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Jamaica?: The lowest recorded value was 9.88 in 2013.
How does Jamaica rank for press freedom index?: Jamaica ranks 171st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Jamaica?: Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Jamaica 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).