Press Freedom Index in Lebanon
Lebanon: Press Freedom Index was 34.93 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Lebanon, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Lebanon stood at 34.93. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of up 5.2% on the previous year and up 15.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Lebanon peaked at 34.93 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 30.15, in 2013.
Lebanon ranks 74th of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Lebanon, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 30.15 | — |
| 2014 | 31.89 | +5.8% |
| 2015 | 31.81 | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 31.95 | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 33.01 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 31.15 | -5.6% |
| 2019 | 32.44 | +4.1% |
| 2020 | 33.19 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 34.93 | +5.2% |
Lebanon compared with similar countries
- Lebanon's 34.93 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 91% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Lebanon's 34.93 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 43.94, 79% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 31.77 | 30.15 | 33.01 | 7 |
| 2020s | 34.06 | 33.19 | 34.93 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Lebanon
More social development data for Lebanon
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 535,168 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9,568 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0016 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9,568 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0915 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in Lebanon?
- Press freedom index in Lebanon was 34.93 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Lebanon?
- The highest recorded value was 34.93 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Lebanon?
- The lowest recorded value was 30.15 in 2013.
- How does Lebanon rank for press freedom index?
- Lebanon ranks 74th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Lebanon?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lebanon 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).