Press Freedom Index in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Press Freedom Index was 21.59 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
21.59
Change on year
down 5.8%
World rank
145th
of 177 countries
All-time high
23.25
in 2018
All-time low
16.89
in 2013
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in United Kingdom, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 21.59 for press freedom index in 2021.
That represents a change of down 5.8% on the previous year and up 27.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in United Kingdom peaked at 23.25 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 16.89, in 2013.
United Kingdom ranks 145th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16.89 | — |
| 2014 | 19.93 | +18.0% |
| 2015 | 20 | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 21.7 | +8.5% |
| 2017 | 22.26 | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 23.25 | +4.4% |
| 2019 | 22.23 | -4.4% |
| 2020 | 22.93 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 21.59 | -5.8% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 21.59 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 93% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 21.59 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 23.38, 92% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 20.89 | 16.89 | 23.25 | 7 |
| 2020s | 22.26 | 21.59 | 22.93 | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More social development data for United Kingdom
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 581,072 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 517 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (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 517 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0084 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 United Kingdom?
- Press freedom index in United Kingdom was 21.59 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 23.25 in 2018.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.89 in 2013.
- How does United Kingdom rank for press freedom index?
- United Kingdom ranks 145th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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).