What is press freedom index in Netherlands?

Press freedom index in Netherlands was 9.67 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Netherlands?

The highest recorded value was 11.28 in 2017.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Netherlands?

The lowest recorded value was 6.46 in 2014.

How does Netherlands rank for press freedom index?

Netherlands ranks 172nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Netherlands?

Over the last ten years it is up 49.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Netherlands 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 Netherlands

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

Netherlands: Press Freedom Index was 9.67 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

9.67

Change on year

down 2.9%

World rank

172nd

of 177 countries

All-time high

11.28

in 2017

All-time low

6.46

in 2014

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Netherlands, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Netherlands recorded 9.67 for press freedom index in 2021.

The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and up 49.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Netherlands peaked at 11.28 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 6.46, in 2014.

Netherlands ranks 172nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	8.69	6.46	11.28	7
2020s	9.82	9.67	9.96	2

Countries ranked near Netherlands

169 Portugal 10.11 compare
170 New Zealand 10.04 compare
171 Jamaica 9.96 compare
173 Costa Rica 8.76 compare
174 Denmark 8.57 compare
175 Sweden 7.24 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Netherlands

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 283,935 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 159 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.868 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.774 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.912 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.553 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.912 (2025)

All data for Netherlands →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Netherlands?: Press freedom index in Netherlands was 9.67 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Netherlands?: The highest recorded value was 11.28 in 2017.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Netherlands?: The lowest recorded value was 6.46 in 2014.
How does Netherlands rank for press freedom index?: Netherlands ranks 172nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Netherlands?: Over the last ten years it is up 49.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Netherlands 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).