Press Freedom Index in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Press Freedom Index was 42.2 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
42.2
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
54th
of 177 countries
All-time high
60.28
in 2015
All-time low
39.61
in 2019
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Sri Lanka, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Sri Lanka is 42.2, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 0.6% on the previous year and down 25.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Sri Lanka peaked at 60.28 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 39.61, in 2019.
Sri Lanka ranks 54th of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 56.59 | — |
| 2014 | 59.13 | +4.5% |
| 2015 | 60.28 | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 44.96 | -25.4% |
| 2017 | 44.34 | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 41.37 | -6.7% |
| 2019 | 39.61 | -4.3% |
| 2020 | 41.94 | +5.9% |
| 2021 | 42.2 | +0.6% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 42.2 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 1.3× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 42.2 is above the median for South Asia, which is 38.41, 1.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 49.47 | 39.61 | 60.28 | 7 |
| 2020s | 42.07 | 41.94 | 42.2 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More social development data for Sri Lanka
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 213 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 148,369 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 3 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0068 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 148,369 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is press freedom index in Sri Lanka?
- Press freedom index in Sri Lanka was 42.2 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 60.28 in 2015.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.61 in 2019.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for press freedom index?
- Sri Lanka ranks 54th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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).