What is press freedom index in Syria?

Press freedom index in Syria was 70.63 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Syria?

The highest recorded value was 81.49 in 2017.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Syria?

The lowest recorded value was 70.63 in 2021.

How does Syria rank for press freedom index?

Syria ranks 8th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Syria?

Over the last ten years it is down 10.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Syria 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 Syria

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

Syria: Press Freedom Index was 70.63 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)

70.63

Change on year

down 2.7%

World rank

8th

of 177 countries

All-time high

81.49

in 2017

All-time low

70.63

in 2021

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Syria, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Syria is 70.63, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.

That represents a change of down 2.7% on the previous year and down 10.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Syria peaked at 81.49 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 70.63, in 2021.

That places Syria 8th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	78.1	71.78	81.49	7
2020s	71.6	70.63	72.57	2

Countries ranked near Syria

6 Vietnam 78.46 compare
7 Iran 72.7 compare
9 Laos 70.56 compare
10 Cuba 63.94 compare
11 Saudi Arabia 62.73 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Syria

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 9,885 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 4.87 million (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.159 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.054 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.321 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.058 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.321 (2025)

All data for Syria →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Syria?: Press freedom index in Syria was 70.63 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Syria?: The highest recorded value was 81.49 in 2017.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Syria?: The lowest recorded value was 70.63 in 2021.
How does Syria rank for press freedom index?: Syria ranks 8th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Syria?: Over the last ten years it is down 10.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Syria 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).