What is press freedom index in Malawi?

Press freedom index in Malawi was 28.8 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Malawi?

The highest recorded value was 29.36 in 2019.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Malawi?

The lowest recorded value was 26.41 in 2015.

How does Malawi rank for press freedom index?

Malawi ranks 117th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Malawi?

Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Malawi 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 Malawi

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

Malawi: Press Freedom Index was 28.8 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

28.8

Change on year

down 1.8%

World rank

117th

of 177 countries

All-time high

29.36

in 2019

All-time low

26.41

in 2015

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Malawi, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Malawi recorded 28.8 for press freedom index in 2021.

That represents a change of down 1.8% on the previous year and up 2.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Malawi peaked at 29.36 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 26.41, in 2015.

Malawi ranks 117th of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	28.11	26.41	29.36	7
2020s	29.06	28.8	29.32	2

Countries ranked near Malawi

114 Bhutan 28.86 compare
115 Poland 28.84 compare
116 Armenia 28.83 compare
118 Mauritius 28.74 compare
119 Georgia 28.64 compare
120 Niger 28.44 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Malawi

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 35,241 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 551 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.767 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.462 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.806 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.366 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.806 (2025)

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Malawi?: Press freedom index in Malawi was 28.8 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Malawi?: The highest recorded value was 29.36 in 2019.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Malawi?: The lowest recorded value was 26.41 in 2015.
How does Malawi rank for press freedom index?: Malawi ranks 117th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Malawi?: Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Malawi 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).