What is press freedom index in Laos?

Press freedom index in Laos was 70.56 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Laos?

The highest recorded value was 71.58 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Laos?

The lowest recorded value was 64.28 in 2020.

How does Laos rank for press freedom index?

Laos ranks 9th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Laos?

Over the last ten years it is up 3.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Laos 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 Laos

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

Laos: Press Freedom Index was 70.56 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)

70.56

Change on year

up 9.8%

World rank

9th

of 177 countries

All-time high

71.58

in 2016

All-time low

64.28

in 2020

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Laos, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Laos is 70.56, measured in 2021.

The figure is up 9.8% on the previous year and up 3.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Laos peaked at 71.58 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 64.28, in 2020.

Laos ranks 9th of 177 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	68.48	64.49	71.58	7
2020s	67.42	64.28	70.56	2

Countries ranked near Laos

6 Vietnam 78.46 compare
7 Iran 72.7 compare
8 Syria 70.63 compare
10 Cuba 63.94 compare
11 Saudi Arabia 62.73 compare
12 Yemen 62.35 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Laos

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 80 (1987)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,489 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.047 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.144 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.118 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.144 (2025)

All data for Laos →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Laos?: Press freedom index in Laos was 70.56 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Laos?: The highest recorded value was 71.58 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Laos?: The lowest recorded value was 64.28 in 2020.
How does Laos rank for press freedom index?: Laos ranks 9th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Laos?: Over the last ten years it is up 3.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Laos 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).