Press Freedom Index in Latvia
Latvia: Press Freedom Index was 19.26 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
19.26
Change on year
up 3.8%
World rank
156th
of 177 countries
All-time high
22.89
in 2013
All-time low
17.38
in 2016
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Latvia, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Latvia stood at 19.26.
The figure is up 3.8% on the previous year and down 15.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Latvia peaked at 22.89 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 17.38, in 2016.
Latvia ranks 156th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Latvia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22.89 | — |
| 2014 | 21.1 | -7.8% |
| 2015 | 18.12 | -14.1% |
| 2016 | 17.38 | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 18.62 | +7.1% |
| 2018 | 19.63 | +5.4% |
| 2019 | 19.53 | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 18.56 | -5.0% |
| 2021 | 19.26 | +3.8% |
Latvia compared with similar countries
- Latvia's 19.26 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 83% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Latvia's 19.26 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 82% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 19.61 | 17.38 | 22.89 | 7 |
| 2020s | 18.91 | 18.56 | 19.26 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Latvia
More social development data for Latvia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 32,454 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 189 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 189 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0176 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 Latvia?
- Press freedom index in Latvia was 19.26 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Latvia?
- The highest recorded value was 22.89 in 2013.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Latvia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.38 in 2016.
- How does Latvia rank for press freedom index?
- Latvia ranks 156th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Latvia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Latvia 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).