What is press freedom index in Somalia?

Press freedom index in Somalia was 55.47 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Somalia?

The highest recorded value was 73.59 in 2013.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Somalia?

The lowest recorded value was 55.45 in 2020.

How does Somalia rank for press freedom index?

Somalia ranks 20th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Somalia?

Over the last ten years it is down 24.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Somalia 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 Somalia

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

Somalia: Press Freedom Index was 55.47 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)

55.47

Change on year

up 0.0%

World rank

20th

of 177 countries

All-time high

73.59

in 2013

All-time low

55.45

in 2020

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Somalia, 2013–2021

Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

Somalia recorded 55.47 for press freedom index in 2021.

The figure is down 24.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Somalia peaked at 73.59 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 55.45, in 2020.

That places Somalia 20th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	67.24	57.24	73.59	7
2020s	55.46	55.45	55.47	2

Countries ranked near Somalia

17 Equatorial Guinea 55.67 compare
18 Iraq 55.57 compare
19 Tajikistan 55.52 compare
21 Singapore 55.2 compare
22 Sudan 52.93 compare
23 Belarus 50.82 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Somalia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 20,967 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 892,037 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.445 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.128 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.454 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.095 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.454 (2025)

All data for Somalia →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Somalia?: Press freedom index in Somalia was 55.47 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Somalia?: The highest recorded value was 73.59 in 2013.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Somalia?: The lowest recorded value was 55.45 in 2020.
How does Somalia rank for press freedom index?: Somalia ranks 20th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Somalia?: Over the last ten years it is down 24.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Somalia 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).