Press Freedom Index in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Press Freedom Index was 43.12 in 2021. ▲ Rising
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.
Press Freedom Index in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 38.12 | — |
| 2014 | 39.19 | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 39.19 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 40.41 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 41.44 | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 40.53 | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 42.23 | +4.2% |
| 2020 | 40.95 | -3.0% |
| 2021 | 43.12 | +5.3% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 43.12 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.21, 1.1× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 43.12 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.65, 1.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
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
More social development data for Zimbabwe
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 8,570 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6,632 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0004 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6,632 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0005 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 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
The index combines expert estimates with data on violence against journalists. It ranges from 0-100 (no freedom).