Press Freedom Index in Zambia
Zambia: Press Freedom Index was 38.21 in 2021. ▲ Rising
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.
Press Freedom Index in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 27.93 | — |
| 2014 | 30.89 | +10.6% |
| 2015 | 34.35 | +11.2% |
| 2016 | 35.08 | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 36.48 | +4.0% |
| 2018 | 35.36 | -3.1% |
| 2019 | 36.38 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 37 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 38.21 | +3.3% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 38.21 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 1.0× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 38.21 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
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
More social development data for Zambia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 83,225 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 346 (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 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 346 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0038 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 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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).