What is press freedom index in Sweden?

Press freedom index in Sweden was 7.24 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Sweden?

The highest recorded value was 12.33 in 2016.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Sweden?

The lowest recorded value was 7.24 in 2021.

How does Sweden rank for press freedom index?

Sweden ranks 175th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Sweden?

Over the last ten years it is down 21.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Sweden 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 Sweden

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

Sweden: Press Freedom Index was 7.24 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)

7.24

Change on year

down 21.7%

World rank

175th

of 177 countries

All-time high

12.33

in 2016

All-time low

7.24

in 2021

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Sweden, 2013–2021

Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

Sweden recorded 7.24 for press freedom index in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 21.7% on the previous year and down 21.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Sweden peaked at 12.33 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 7.24, in 2021.

Sweden ranks 175th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	9.27	8.27	12.33	7
2020s	8.25	7.24	9.25	2

Countries ranked near Sweden

172 Netherlands 9.67 compare
173 Costa Rica 8.76 compare
174 Denmark 8.57 compare
176 Finland 6.99 compare
177 Norway 6.72 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Sweden

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 144,116 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 128 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.931 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.853 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.96 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.635 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.96 (2025)

All data for Sweden →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Sweden?: Press freedom index in Sweden was 7.24 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Sweden?: The highest recorded value was 12.33 in 2016.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Sweden?: The lowest recorded value was 7.24 in 2021.
How does Sweden rank for press freedom index?: Sweden ranks 175th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Sweden?: Over the last ten years it is down 21.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Sweden 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).