Press Freedom Index in Pakistan
Pakistan: Press Freedom Index was 46.86 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
46.86
Change on year
up 2.9%
World rank
36th
of 177 countries
All-time high
51.46
in 2014
All-time low
43.24
in 2018
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Pakistan, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Pakistan is 46.86, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 2.9% on the previous year and down 8.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Pakistan peaked at 51.46 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 43.24, in 2018.
Pakistan ranks 36th of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 51.31 | — |
| 2014 | 51.46 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 50.46 | -1.9% |
| 2016 | 48.52 | -3.8% |
| 2017 | 43.55 | -10.2% |
| 2018 | 43.24 | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 45.83 | +6.0% |
| 2020 | 45.52 | -0.7% |
| 2021 | 46.86 | +2.9% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 46.86 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 1.2× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 46.86 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 43.94, 1.1× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 47.77 | 43.24 | 51.46 | 7 |
| 2020s | 46.19 | 45.52 | 46.86 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More social development data for Pakistan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1.16 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 90,497 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0004 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 90,497 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0045 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 Pakistan?
- Press freedom index in Pakistan was 46.86 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 51.46 in 2014.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.24 in 2018.
- How does Pakistan rank for press freedom index?
- Pakistan ranks 36th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Pakistan 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).