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.

Press Freedom Index in Pakistan

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

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

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.

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

33 Venezuela 47.6 compare
34 Burundi 47.57 compare
35 Algeria 47.26 compare
37 Cambodia 46.84 compare
39 India 46.56 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Pakistan

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 1.16 million (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 90,497 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.495 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.176 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.466 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.192 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.466 (2025)

All data for Pakistan →

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

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).