Press Freedom Index in Malta
Malta: Press Freedom Index was 30.46 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Malta, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Malta is 30.46, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 30.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Malta peaked at 30.46 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 23.3, in 2013.
Malta ranks 100th of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Malta, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 23.3 | — |
| 2014 | 23.84 | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 24.16 | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 23.84 | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 24.76 | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 27.44 | +10.8% |
| 2019 | 29.74 | +8.4% |
| 2020 | 30.16 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 30.46 | +1.0% |
Malta compared with similar countries
- Malta's 30.46 is above the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 1.3× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Malta's 30.46 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 43.94, 69% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 25.3 | 23.3 | 29.74 | 7 |
| 2020s | 30.31 | 30.16 | 30.46 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malta
More social development data for Malta
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8,306 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0143 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 Malta?
- Press freedom index in Malta was 30.46 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Malta?
- The highest recorded value was 30.46 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Malta?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.3 in 2013.
- How does Malta rank for press freedom index?
- Malta ranks 100th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Malta?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malta 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).