What is press freedom index in Zimbabwe?

Press freedom index in Zimbabwe was 43.12 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?

The highest recorded value was 43.12 in 2021.

What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?

The lowest recorded value was 38.12 in 2013.

How does Zimbabwe rank for press freedom index?

Zimbabwe ranks 51st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.

Is press freedom index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?

Over the last ten years it is up 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe: Press Freedom Index was 43.12 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)

43.12

Change on year

up 5.3%

World rank

51st

of 177 countries

All-time high

43.12

in 2021

All-time low

38.12

in 2013

Years of data

2013–2021

Press Freedom Index in Zimbabwe, 2013–2021

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

Analysis

Zimbabwe recorded 43.12 for press freedom index in 2021. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

The figure is up 5.3% on the previous year and up 13.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom index in Zimbabwe peaked at 43.12 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 38.12, in 2013.

That places Zimbabwe 51st 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	40.16	38.12	42.23	7
2020s	42.03	40.95	43.12	2

Countries ranked near Zimbabwe

48 Oman 43.37 compare
49 Palestine 43.18 compare
50 United Arab Emirates 43.13 compare
52 Jordan 42.89 compare
53 Qatar 42.6 compare
54 Sri Lanka 42.2 compare

See the full ranking of 177 places →

More social development data for Zimbabwe

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,570 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 6,632 (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.424 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.147 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.381 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.202 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.381 (2025)

All data for Zimbabwe →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom index in Zimbabwe?: Press freedom index in Zimbabwe was 43.12 in 2021, according to Reporters sans Frontieres (2022) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?: The highest recorded value was 43.12 in 2021.
What is the lowest press freedom index recorded in Zimbabwe?: The lowest recorded value was 38.12 in 2013.
How does Zimbabwe rank for press freedom index?: Zimbabwe ranks 51st out of 177 countries with data for 2021.
Is press freedom index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?: Over the last ten years it is up 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Zimbabwe 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).