Press Freedom Index in North Macedonia
North Macedonia: Press Freedom Index was 31.67 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Press Freedom Index in North Macedonia, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in North Macedonia is 31.67, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.2% on the previous year and down 7.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in North Macedonia peaked at 36.43 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 31.28, in 2020.
North Macedonia ranks 91st of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in North Macedonia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 34.27 | — |
| 2014 | 36.43 | +6.3% |
| 2015 | 36.26 | -0.5% |
| 2016 | 36.09 | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 35.74 | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 32.43 | -9.3% |
| 2019 | 31.66 | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 31.28 | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 31.67 | +1.2% |
North Macedonia compared with similar countries
- North Macedonia's 31.67 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 94% of the median. (51 countries reporting)
- North Macedonia's 31.67 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 1.4× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 34.7 | 31.66 | 36.43 | 7 |
| 2020s | 31.48 | 31.28 | 31.67 | 2 |
Countries ranked near North Macedonia
More social development data for North Macedonia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 20,822 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,886 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 3 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,886 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0114 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 North Macedonia?
- Press freedom index in North Macedonia was 31.67 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in North Macedonia?
- The highest recorded value was 36.43 in 2014.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in North Macedonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.28 in 2020.
- How does North Macedonia rank for press freedom index?
- North Macedonia ranks 91st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in North Macedonia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this North Macedonia 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).