Press Freedom Index in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: Press Freedom Index was 50.28 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Press Freedom Index in Kazakhstan, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Kazakhstan stood at 50.28. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.1% on the previous year and down 8.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Kazakhstan peaked at 55.08 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 50.28, in 2021.
Kazakhstan ranks 26th of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Kazakhstan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 55.08 | — |
| 2014 | 54.94 | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 53.46 | -2.7% |
| 2016 | 54.55 | +2.0% |
| 2017 | 54.01 | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 54.41 | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 52.82 | -2.9% |
| 2020 | 54.11 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 50.28 | -7.1% |
Kazakhstan compared with similar countries
- Kazakhstan's 50.28 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 1.5× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Kazakhstan's 50.28 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 2.2× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 54.18 | 52.82 | 55.08 | 7 |
| 2020s | 52.2 | 50.28 | 54.11 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Kazakhstan
More social development data for Kazakhstan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4,377 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4,144 (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 0.0002 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4,144 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0002 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 Kazakhstan?
- Press freedom index in Kazakhstan was 50.28 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Kazakhstan?
- The highest recorded value was 55.08 in 2013.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Kazakhstan?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.28 in 2021.
- How does Kazakhstan rank for press freedom index?
- Kazakhstan ranks 26th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Kazakhstan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kazakhstan 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).