Press Freedom Index in Uruguay
Uruguay: Press Freedom Index was 16.38 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Latest (2021)
16.38
Change on year
up 3.7%
World rank
160th
of 177 countries
All-time high
17.43
in 2017
All-time low
15.56
in 2018
Years of data
9
2013–2021
Press Freedom Index in Uruguay, 2013–2021
Source: Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, press freedom index in Uruguay stood at 16.38.
The figure is up 3.7% on the previous year and up 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, press freedom index in Uruguay peaked at 17.43 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 15.56, in 2018.
Uruguay ranks 160th of 177 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Press Freedom Index in Uruguay, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15.92 | — |
| 2014 | 16.08 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 15.94 | -0.9% |
| 2016 | 15.88 | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 17.43 | +9.8% |
| 2018 | 15.56 | -10.7% |
| 2019 | 16.06 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 15.79 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 16.38 | +3.7% |
Uruguay compared with similar countries
- Uruguay's 16.38 is below the median for high income countries, which is 23.1, 71% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Uruguay's 16.38 is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 31.12, 53% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16.12 | 15.56 | 17.43 | 7 |
| 2020s | 16.09 | 15.79 | 16.38 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Uruguay
More social development data for Uruguay
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,195 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 126 (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 126 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0009 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 Uruguay?
- Press freedom index in Uruguay was 16.38 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Uruguay?
- The highest recorded value was 17.43 in 2017.
- What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Uruguay?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.56 in 2018.
- How does Uruguay rank for press freedom index?
- Uruguay ranks 160th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
- Is press freedom index rising or falling in Uruguay?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Uruguay 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).