Press Freedom Index in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea: Press Freedom Index was 24.88 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Press Freedom Index in Papua New Guinea, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Papua New Guinea stood at 24.88.
That represents a change of up 4.0% on the previous year and up 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Papua New Guinea peaked at 26.19 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 22.97, in 2013.
Papua New Guinea ranks 132nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Papua New Guinea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22.97 | — |
| 2014 | 23.46 | +2.1% |
| 2015 | 25.87 | +10.3% |
| 2016 | 25.81 | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 25.07 | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 26.19 | +4.5% |
| 2019 | 24.7 | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 23.93 | -3.1% |
| 2021 | 24.88 | +4.0% |
Papua New Guinea compared with similar countries
- Papua New Guinea's 24.88 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 65% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Papua New Guinea's 24.88 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 67% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 24.87 | 22.97 | 26.19 | 7 |
| 2020s | 24.41 | 23.93 | 24.88 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Papua New Guinea
More social development data for Papua New Guinea
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 7,727 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 644 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 644 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0007 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 Papua New Guinea?
- Press freedom index in Papua New Guinea was 24.88 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The highest recorded value was 26.19 in 2018.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Papua New Guinea?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.97 in 2013.
- How does Papua New Guinea rank for press freedom index?
- Papua New Guinea ranks 132nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Papua New Guinea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Papua New Guinea 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).