What is press freedom index in Namibia?

Press freedom index in Namibia was 19.72 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Namibia?

The highest recorded value was 20.24 in 2018.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Namibia?

The lowest recorded value was 12.5 in 2013.

How does Namibia rank for press freedom index?

Namibia ranks 154th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Namibia?

Over the last ten years it is up 57.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Namibia 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 Namibia

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

Namibia: Press Freedom Index was 19.72 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

19.72

Change on year

up 2.4%

World rank

154th

of 177 countries

All-time high

20.24

in 2018

All-time low

12.5

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Namibia, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in Namibia stood at 19.72.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.4% on the previous year and up 57.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Namibia peaked at 20.24 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 12.5, in 2013.

That places Namibia 154th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	15.56	12.5	20.24	7
2020s	19.48	19.25	19.72	2

Countries ranked near Namibia

151 Cape Verde 20.09 compare
152 Cyprus 19.85 compare
153 Australia 19.79 compare
156 Latvia 19.26 compare
157 Samoa 19.24 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Namibia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 5,470 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 685 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.87 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.519 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.883 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.349 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.883 (2025)

All data for Namibia →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Namibia?: Press freedom index in Namibia was 19.72 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Namibia?: The highest recorded value was 20.24 in 2018.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Namibia?: The lowest recorded value was 12.5 in 2013.
How does Namibia rank for press freedom index?: Namibia ranks 154th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Namibia?: Over the last ten years it is up 57.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Namibia 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).