Press Freedom Index in South Africa
South Africa: Press Freedom Index was 21.59 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
21.59
Change on year
down 3.7%
World rank
145th
of 177 countries
All-time high
24.56
in 2013
All-time low
20.12
in 2017
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in South Africa, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in South Africa stood at 21.59.
That represents a change of down 3.7% on the previous year and down 12.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in South Africa peaked at 24.56 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 20.12, in 2017.
South Africa ranks 145th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 24.56 | — |
| 2014 | 23.19 | -5.6% |
| 2015 | 22.06 | -4.9% |
| 2016 | 21.92 | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 20.12 | -8.2% |
| 2018 | 20.39 | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 22.19 | +8.8% |
| 2020 | 22.41 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 21.59 | -3.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 21.59 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 64% of the median. (51 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 21.59 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 64% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 22.06 | 20.12 | 24.56 | 7 |
| 2020s | 22 | 21.59 | 22.41 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More social development data for South Africa
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 55,177 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,319 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (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 1,319 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0009 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 South Africa?
- Press freedom index in South Africa was 21.59 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 24.56 in 2013.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.12 in 2017.
- How does South Africa rank for press freedom index?
- South Africa ranks 145th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa 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).