Press Freedom Index in North Korea
North Korea: Press Freedom Index was 81.28 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Press Freedom Index in North Korea, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in North Korea is 81.28, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.3% on the previous year and down 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in North Korea peaked at 88.87 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 81.28, in 2021.
North Korea ranks 2nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Press Freedom Index in North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 83.9 | — |
| 2014 | 81.96 | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 83.25 | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 83.76 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 84.98 | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 88.87 | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 83.4 | -6.2% |
| 2020 | 85.82 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 81.28 | -5.3% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 81.28 is above the median for low income countries, which is 40.2, 2.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 81.28 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 2.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 84.3 | 81.96 | 88.87 | 7 |
| 2020s | 83.55 | 81.28 | 85.82 | 2 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More social development data for North Korea
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 263 (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 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 263 (2025)
- Sovereign state gleditsch ward, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -7.07 % change on previous year (2025)
- Human Rights Index vs. Electoral Democracy Index 0.024 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in North Korea?
- Press freedom index in North Korea was 81.28 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 88.87 in 2018.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 81.28 in 2021.
- How does North Korea rank for press freedom index?
- North Korea ranks 2nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this North Korea 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).