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.

Press Freedom Index in Sri Lanka

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

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

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.

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

51 Zimbabwe 43.12 compare
52 Jordan 42.89 compare
53 Qatar 42.6 compare
55 Central African Republic 41.92 compare
56 Uganda 41.19 compare
57 Tanzania 40.69 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Sri Lanka

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 213 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 148,369 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.853 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.613 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.816 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.52 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.816 (2025)

All data for Sri Lanka →

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

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).