What is press freedom index in Malaysia?

Press freedom index in Malaysia was 39.47 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Malaysia?

The highest recorded value was 47.41 in 2018.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Malaysia?

The lowest recorded value was 33.12 in 2020.

How does Malaysia rank for press freedom index?

Malaysia ranks 62nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Malaysia?

Over the last ten years it is down 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Malaysia 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 Malaysia

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

Malaysia: Press Freedom Index was 39.47 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)

39.47

Change on year

up 19.2%

World rank

62nd

of 177 countries

All-time high

47.41

in 2018

All-time low

33.12

in 2020

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Malaysia, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Malaysia recorded 39.47 for press freedom index in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 19.2% on the previous year and down 7.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Malaysia peaked at 47.41 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 33.12, in 2020.

That places Malaysia 62nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	43.77	36.74	47.41	7
2020s	36.3	33.12	39.47	2

Countries ranked near Malaysia

59 Afghanistan 40.19 compare
60 Nicaragua 39.98 compare
61 Nigeria 39.69 compare
63 Congo 38.83 compare
64 Gabon 38.6 compare
65 Guatemala 38.45 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Malaysia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 150,164 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 2,477 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.791 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.355 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.739 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.303 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.739 (2025)

All data for Malaysia →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Malaysia?: Press freedom index in Malaysia was 39.47 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Malaysia?: The highest recorded value was 47.41 in 2018.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Malaysia?: The lowest recorded value was 33.12 in 2020.
How does Malaysia rank for press freedom index?: Malaysia ranks 62nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Malaysia?: Over the last ten years it is down 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Malaysia 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).