What is press freedom index in Zambia?

Press freedom index in Zambia was 38.21 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Zambia?

The highest recorded value was 38.21 in 2021.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Zambia?

The lowest recorded value was 27.93 in 2013.

How does Zambia rank for press freedom index?

Zambia ranks 66th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Zambia?

Over the last ten years it is up 36.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Zambia 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 Zambia

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

Zambia: Press Freedom Index was 38.21 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

38.21

Change on year

up 3.3%

World rank

66th

of 177 countries

All-time high

38.21

in 2021

All-time low

27.93

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Zambia, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for press freedom index in Zambia is 38.21, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

That represents a change of up 3.3% on the previous year and up 36.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Zambia peaked at 38.21 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 27.93, in 2013.

That places Zambia 66th out of 177 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
2010s	33.78	27.93	36.48	7
2020s	37.61	37	38.21	2

Countries ranked near Zambia

63 Congo 38.83 compare
64 Gabon 38.6 compare
65 Guatemala 38.45 compare
67 Benin 38.18 compare
68 Indonesia 37.4 compare
69 Bulgaria 37.29 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Zambia

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 83,225 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 346 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.746 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.375 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.773 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.348 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.773 (2025)

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Zambia?: Press freedom index in Zambia was 38.21 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Zambia?: The highest recorded value was 38.21 in 2021.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Zambia?: The lowest recorded value was 27.93 in 2013.
How does Zambia rank for press freedom index?: Zambia ranks 66th out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Zambia?: Over the last ten years it is up 36.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Zambia 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).