Press Freedom Index in Thailand
Thailand: Press Freedom Index was 45.22 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Press Freedom Index in Thailand, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Thailand stood at 45.22. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 17.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Thailand peaked at 45.22 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 37.94, in 2014.
That places Thailand 44th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Thailand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 38.6 | — |
| 2014 | 37.94 | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 40.07 | +5.6% |
| 2016 | 44.53 | +11.1% |
| 2017 | 44.69 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 44.31 | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 44.1 | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 44.94 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 45.22 | +0.6% |
Thailand compared with similar countries
- Thailand's 45.22 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 1.3× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Thailand's 45.22 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 1.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 42.03 | 37.94 | 44.69 | 7 |
| 2020s | 45.08 | 44.94 | 45.22 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Thailand
More social development data for Thailand
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 84,017 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 327 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (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 327 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0012 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 Thailand?
- Press freedom index in Thailand was 45.22 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Thailand?
- The highest recorded value was 45.22 in 2021.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Thailand?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.94 in 2014.
- How does Thailand rank for press freedom index?
- Thailand ranks 44th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Thailand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Thailand 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).