Press Freedom Index in Russia
Russia: Press Freedom Index was 48.71 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Russia, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Russia is 48.71, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of down 0.4% on the previous year and up 12.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Russia peaked at 50.31 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 42.78, in 2014.
That places Russia 31st out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Russia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 43.42 | — |
| 2014 | 42.78 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 44.97 | +5.1% |
| 2016 | 49.03 | +9.0% |
| 2017 | 49.45 | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 49.96 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 50.31 | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 48.92 | -2.8% |
| 2021 | 48.71 | -0.4% |
Russia compared with similar countries
- Russia's 48.71 is above the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 2.1× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Russia's 48.71 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 2.1× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 47.13 | 42.78 | 50.31 | 7 |
| 2020s | 48.81 | 48.71 | 48.92 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Russia
More social development data for Russia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 11,811 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 99,360 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (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 99,360 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in Russia?
- Press freedom index in Russia was 48.71 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Russia?
- The highest recorded value was 50.31 in 2019.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Russia?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.78 in 2014.
- How does Russia rank for press freedom index?
- Russia ranks 31st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Russia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Russia 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).