Press Freedom Index in Syria
Syria: Press Freedom Index was 70.63 in 2021. ▼ Falling
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%.
Press Freedom Index in Syria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 78.53 | — |
| 2014 | 77.04 | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 77.29 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 81.35 | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 81.49 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 79.22 | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 71.78 | -9.4% |
| 2020 | 72.57 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 70.63 | -2.7% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 70.63 is above the median for low income countries, which is 40.2, 1.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Syria's 70.63 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 43.94, 1.6× the median. (23 countries reporting)
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
More social development data for Syria
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 9,885 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4.87 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.1899 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4.87 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0004 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).