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.

Press Freedom Index in Russia

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

Russia: Press Freedom Index was 48.71 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

48.71

Change on year

down 0.4%

World rank

31st

of 177 countries

All-time high

50.31

in 2019

All-time low

42.78

in 2014

Years of data

2013–2021

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.

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

28 Turkey 49.79 compare
29 Bangladesh 49.71 compare
30 Honduras 49.35 compare
32 Democratic Republic of Congo 48.59 compare
33 Venezuela 47.6 compare
34 Burundi 47.57 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Russia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 11,811 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 99,360 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.115 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.056 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.265 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.124 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.265 (2025)

All data for Russia →

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

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).