Press Freedom Index in South Sudan
South Sudan: Press Freedom Index was 45.78 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
45.78
Change on year
up 2.9%
World rank
42nd
of 177 countries
All-time high
48.16
in 2017
All-time low
36.05
in 2014
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in South Sudan, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Sudan recorded 45.78 for press freedom index in 2021.
The figure is up 2.9% on the previous year and up 26.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in South Sudan peaked at 48.16 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 36.05, in 2014.
South Sudan ranks 42nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 36.2 | — |
| 2014 | 36.05 | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 38.04 | +5.5% |
| 2016 | 44.87 | +18.0% |
| 2017 | 48.16 | +7.3% |
| 2018 | 46.88 | -2.7% |
| 2019 | 45.65 | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 44.49 | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 45.78 | +2.9% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 45.78 is above the median for low income countries, which is 40.2, 1.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 45.78 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 1.4× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 42.26 | 36.05 | 48.16 | 7 |
| 2020s | 45.14 | 44.49 | 45.78 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More social development data for South Sudan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 601,818 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.39 million (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 0.1958 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.39 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0494 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in South Sudan?
- Press freedom index in South Sudan was 45.78 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 48.16 in 2017.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.05 in 2014.
- How does South Sudan rank for press freedom index?
- South Sudan ranks 42nd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Sudan 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).