What is press freedom index in Nigeria?

Press freedom index in Nigeria was 39.69 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Nigeria?

The highest recorded value was 39.69 in 2017.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Nigeria?

The lowest recorded value was 34.09 in 2015.

How does Nigeria rank for press freedom index?

Nigeria ranks 61st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Nigeria?

Over the last ten years it is up 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Nigeria 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 Nigeria

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

Nigeria: Press Freedom Index was 39.69 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

39.69

Change on year

up 11.4%

World rank

61st

of 177 countries

All-time high

39.69

in 2017

All-time low

34.09

in 2015

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Nigeria, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Nigeria recorded 39.69 for press freedom index in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 11.4% on the previous year and up 16.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Nigeria peaked at 39.69 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 34.09, in 2015.

Nigeria ranks 61st of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	35.99	34.09	39.69	7
2020s	37.66	35.63	39.69	2

Countries ranked near Nigeria

58 Chad 40.2 compare
59 Afghanistan 40.19 compare
60 Nicaragua 39.98 compare
62 Malaysia 39.47 compare
63 Congo 38.83 compare
64 Gabon 38.6 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Nigeria

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 123,848 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 478,150 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.846 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.311 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.674 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.323 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.674 (2025)

All data for Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Nigeria?: Press freedom index in Nigeria was 39.69 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Nigeria?: The highest recorded value was 39.69 in 2017.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Nigeria?: The lowest recorded value was 34.09 in 2015.
How does Nigeria rank for press freedom index?: Nigeria ranks 61st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Nigeria?: Over the last ten years it is up 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Nigeria 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).