What is press freedom index in Turkey?

Press freedom index in Turkey was 49.79 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Turkey?

The highest recorded value was 53.5 in 2018.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Turkey?

The lowest recorded value was 44.16 in 2015.

How does Turkey rank for press freedom index?

Turkey ranks 28th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Turkey?

Over the last ten years it is up 6.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Turkey 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 Turkey

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

Turkey: Press Freedom Index was 49.79 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

49.79

Change on year

down 0.5%

World rank

28th

of 177 countries

All-time high

53.5

in 2018

All-time low

44.16

in 2015

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Turkey, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

In 2021, press freedom index in Turkey stood at 49.79.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.5% on the previous year and up 6.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Turkey peaked at 53.5 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 44.16, in 2015.

That places Turkey 28th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	49.52	44.16	53.5	7
2020s	49.91	49.79	50.02	2

Countries ranked near Turkey

25 Rwanda 50.66 compare
26 Kazakhstan 50.28 compare
27 Brunei 49.91 compare
29 Bangladesh 49.71 compare
30 Honduras 49.35 compare
31 Russia 48.71 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Turkey

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2.39 million (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 149,405 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.565 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.11 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.402 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.165 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.402 (2025)

All data for Turkey →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Turkey?: Press freedom index in Turkey was 49.79 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Turkey?: The highest recorded value was 53.5 in 2018.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Turkey?: The lowest recorded value was 44.16 in 2015.
How does Turkey rank for press freedom index?: Turkey ranks 28th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Turkey?: Over the last ten years it is up 6.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Turkey 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).