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.

Press Freedom Index in South Sudan

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

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

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.

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

39 India 46.56 compare
40 Eswatini 46.34 compare
41 Myanmar 46.14 compare
43 Philippines 45.64 compare
44 Thailand 45.22 compare
45 Morocco 43.94 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for South Sudan

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 601,818 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 2.39 million (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.152 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.064 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.228 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.047 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.228 (2025)

All data for South Sudan →

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

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).