Press Freedom Index in Myanmar
Myanmar: Press Freedom Index was 46.14 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Myanmar, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Myanmar is 46.14, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is up 3.1% on the previous year and up 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Myanmar peaked at 46.14 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 41.43, in 2014.
Myanmar ranks 41st of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Myanmar, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44.71 | — |
| 2014 | 41.43 | -7.3% |
| 2015 | 42.08 | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 45.48 | +8.1% |
| 2017 | 41.82 | -8.0% |
| 2018 | 43.15 | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 44.92 | +4.1% |
| 2020 | 44.77 | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 46.14 | +3.1% |
Myanmar compared with similar countries
- Myanmar's 46.14 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 1.2× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Myanmar's 46.14 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 1.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 43.37 | 41.43 | 45.48 | 7 |
| 2020s | 45.45 | 44.77 | 46.14 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Myanmar
More social development data for Myanmar
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.52 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0278 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.52 million (2025)
- Sovereign state gleditsch ward, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 15.27 % change on previous year (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 Myanmar?
- Press freedom index in Myanmar was 46.14 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Myanmar?
- The highest recorded value was 46.14 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Myanmar?
- The lowest recorded value was 41.43 in 2014.
- How does Myanmar rank for press freedom index?
- Myanmar ranks 41st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Myanmar?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Myanmar 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).