Press Freedom Index in Philippines
Philippines: Press Freedom Index was 45.64 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Press Freedom Index in Philippines, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Philippines stood at 45.64. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is up 4.8% on the previous year and up 5.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Philippines peaked at 45.64 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 41.08, in 2017.
Philippines ranks 43rd of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Philippines, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 43.11 | — |
| 2014 | 43.69 | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 41.19 | -5.7% |
| 2016 | 44.66 | +8.4% |
| 2017 | 41.08 | -8.0% |
| 2018 | 42.53 | +3.5% |
| 2019 | 43.91 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 43.54 | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 45.64 | +4.8% |
Philippines compared with similar countries
- Philippines's 45.64 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 1.4× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Philippines's 45.64 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 1.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 42.88 | 41.08 | 44.66 | 7 |
| 2020s | 44.59 | 43.54 | 45.64 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Philippines
More social development data for Philippines
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,032 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 807 (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 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 807 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in Philippines?
- Press freedom index in Philippines was 45.64 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Philippines?
- The highest recorded value was 45.64 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Philippines?
- The lowest recorded value was 41.08 in 2017.
- How does Philippines rank for press freedom index?
- Philippines ranks 43rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Philippines?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Philippines 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).