Press Freedom Index in Kenya
Kenya: Press Freedom Index was 33.65 in 2021. ▲ Rising
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.
Press Freedom Index in Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 27.8 | — |
| 2014 | 30.7 | +10.4% |
| 2015 | 32.07 | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 31.16 | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 31.2 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 30.82 | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 32.44 | +5.3% |
| 2020 | 33.72 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 33.65 | -0.2% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 33.65 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 88% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 33.65 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 1.0× the median. (47 countries reporting)
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
More social development data for Kenya
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 617,125 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 13,325 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (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 13,325 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0107 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 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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).