Press Freedom Index in Mauritania
Mauritania: Press Freedom Index was 32.25 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Mauritania, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Mauritania is 32.25, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 20.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Mauritania peaked at 32.54 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 24.03, in 2016.
Mauritania ranks 87th of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Mauritania, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26.76 | — |
| 2014 | 26.53 | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 25.27 | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 24.03 | -4.9% |
| 2017 | 26.49 | +10.2% |
| 2018 | 29.09 | +9.8% |
| 2019 | 31.65 | +8.8% |
| 2020 | 32.54 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 32.25 | -0.9% |
Mauritania compared with similar countries
- Mauritania's 32.25 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 84% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Mauritania's 32.25 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 96% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 27.12 | 24.03 | 31.65 | 7 |
| 2020s | 32.39 | 32.25 | 32.54 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Mauritania
More social development data for Mauritania
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 301,490 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 43,906 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (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 0.0083 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 43,906 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0567 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 Mauritania?
- Press freedom index in Mauritania was 32.25 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 32.54 in 2020.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.03 in 2016.
- How does Mauritania rank for press freedom index?
- Mauritania ranks 87th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Mauritania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Mauritania 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.
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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).