Press Freedom Index in Norway
Norway: Press Freedom Index was 6.72 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
6.72
Change on year
down 14.3%
World rank
177th
of 177 countries
All-time high
8.79
in 2016
All-time low
6.52
in 2013
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Norway, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Norway is 6.72, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 14.3% on the previous year and up 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Norway peaked at 8.79 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 6.52, in 2013.
Norway ranks 177th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Norway, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6.52 | — |
| 2014 | 6.52 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 7.75 | +18.9% |
| 2016 | 8.79 | +13.4% |
| 2017 | 7.6 | -13.5% |
| 2018 | 7.63 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 7.82 | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 7.84 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 6.72 | -14.3% |
Norway compared with similar countries
- Norway's 6.72 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 29% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Norway's 6.72 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 29% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 7.52 | 6.52 | 8.79 | 7 |
| 2020s | 7.28 | 6.72 | 7.84 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Norway
More social development data for Norway
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 124,006 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 20 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 20 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0221 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 Norway?
- Press freedom index in Norway was 6.72 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Norway?
- The highest recorded value was 8.79 in 2016.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Norway?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.52 in 2013.
- How does Norway rank for press freedom index?
- Norway ranks 177th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Norway?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Norway 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).