Press Freedom Index in Ukraine
Ukraine: Press Freedom Index was 32.96 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Press Freedom Index in Ukraine, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Ukraine stood at 32.96.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and down 10.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Ukraine peaked at 39.1 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 31.16, in 2018.
That places Ukraine 84th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Press Freedom Index in Ukraine, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 36.79 | — |
| 2014 | 36.93 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 39.1 | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 32.93 | -15.8% |
| 2017 | 33.19 | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 31.16 | -6.1% |
| 2019 | 32.46 | +4.2% |
| 2020 | 32.52 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 32.96 | +1.4% |
Ukraine compared with similar countries
- Ukraine's 32.96 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.52, 98% of the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Ukraine's 32.96 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 1.4× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 34.65 | 31.16 | 39.1 | 7 |
| 2020s | 32.74 | 32.52 | 32.96 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Ukraine
More social development data for Ukraine
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,370 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5.22 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.134 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 5.22 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 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 Ukraine?
- Press freedom index in Ukraine was 32.96 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Ukraine?
- The highest recorded value was 39.1 in 2015.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Ukraine?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.16 in 2018.
- How does Ukraine rank for press freedom index?
- Ukraine ranks 84th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Ukraine?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ukraine 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).