What is press freedom index in Tonga?

Press freedom index in Tonga was 24.59 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Tonga?

The highest recorded value was 27.27 in 2020.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Tonga?

The lowest recorded value was 21.24 in 2016.

How does Tonga rank for press freedom index?

Tonga ranks 133rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Tonga?

Over the last ten years it is down 7.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.

Where does this Tonga 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 Tonga

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

Tonga: Press Freedom Index was 24.59 in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)

24.59

Change on year

down 9.8%

World rank

133rd

of 177 countries

All-time high

27.27

in 2020

All-time low

21.24

in 2016

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Tonga, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Tonga is 24.59, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.8% on the previous year and down 7.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Tonga peaked at 27.27 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 21.24, in 2016.

That places Tonga 133rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	24.87	21.24	26.7	7
2020s	25.93	24.59	27.27	2

Countries ranked near Tonga

130 Senegal 25.22 compare
131 Romania 24.91 compare
132 Papua New Guinea 24.88 compare
134 United States 23.93 compare
135 Taiwan 23.86 compare
136 South Korea 23.43 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Tonga

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 65 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
Physical Integrity Rights Score 2.73 (2019)
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin 1,324 (2025)
Political Rights Score 29 (2025)
Freedom Score 79 (2025)
States involved in state-based conflicts 0 (2025)
Sovereign state 1 (2025)
Full democracy 1 (2025)

All data for Tonga →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Tonga?: Press freedom index in Tonga was 24.59 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Tonga?: The highest recorded value was 27.27 in 2020.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Tonga?: The lowest recorded value was 21.24 in 2016.
How does Tonga rank for press freedom index?: Tonga ranks 133rd out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Tonga?: Over the last ten years it is down 7.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Tonga 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).