Press Freedom Index in Switzerland
Switzerland: Press Freedom Index was 10.55 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Press Freedom Index in Switzerland, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for press freedom index in Switzerland is 10.55, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.7% on the previous year and up 6.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Switzerland peaked at 13.85 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 9.94, in 2013.
That places Switzerland 168th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 9.94 | — |
| 2014 | 10.47 | +5.3% |
| 2015 | 13.85 | +32.3% |
| 2016 | 11.76 | -15.1% |
| 2017 | 12.13 | +3.1% |
| 2018 | 11.27 | -7.1% |
| 2019 | 10.52 | -6.7% |
| 2020 | 10.62 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 10.55 | -0.7% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 10.55 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 46% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 10.55 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 45% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11.42 | 9.94 | 13.85 | 7 |
| 2020s | 10.59 | 10.55 | 10.62 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More social development data for Switzerland
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 208,287 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (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 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0229 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 Switzerland?
- Press freedom index in Switzerland was 10.55 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 13.85 in 2015.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.94 in 2013.
- How does Switzerland rank for press freedom index?
- Switzerland ranks 168th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Switzerland 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).