Press Freedom Index in Tonga
Tonga: Press Freedom Index was 24.59 in 2021. ▬ Flat
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.
Press Freedom Index in Tonga, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26.7 | — |
| 2014 | 26.7 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 23.37 | -12.5% |
| 2016 | 21.24 | -9.1% |
| 2017 | 24.97 | +17.6% |
| 2018 | 25.68 | +2.8% |
| 2019 | 25.41 | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 27.27 | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 24.59 | -9.8% |
Tonga compared with similar countries
- Tonga's 24.59 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 73% of the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Tonga's 24.59 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 37.4, 66% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
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
More social development data for Tonga
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 65 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 3 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 50 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 3 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0006 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 65 (2025)
- Sovereign state gleditsch ward, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 54.76 % change on previous year (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 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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).