What is press freedom index in Kenya?

Press freedom index in Kenya was 33.65 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Kenya?

The highest recorded value was 33.72 in 2020.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Kenya?

The lowest recorded value was 27.8 in 2013.

How does Kenya rank for press freedom index?

Kenya ranks 79th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Kenya?

Over the last ten years it is up 21.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Kenya 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 Kenya

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

Kenya: Press Freedom Index was 33.65 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

33.65

Change on year

down 0.2%

World rank

79th

of 177 countries

All-time high

33.72

in 2020

All-time low

27.8

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Kenya, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Kenya is 33.65, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and up 21.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Kenya peaked at 33.72 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 27.8, in 2013.

That places Kenya 79th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	30.88	27.8	32.44	7
2020s	33.69	33.65	33.72	2

Countries ranked near Kenya

76 Kuwait 34.36 compare
77 Montenegro 34.33 compare
78 Angola 34.06 compare
80 Ethiopia 33.63 compare
81 Paraguay 33.52 compare
82 Mali 33.5 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Kenya

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 617,125 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 13,325 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.793 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.446 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.74 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.335 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.74 (2025)

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Kenya?: Press freedom index in Kenya was 33.65 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Kenya?: The highest recorded value was 33.72 in 2020.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Kenya?: The lowest recorded value was 27.8 in 2013.
How does Kenya rank for press freedom index?: Kenya ranks 79th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Kenya?: Over the last ten years it is up 21.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Kenya 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).