What is press freedom in Panama?

Press freedom in Panama was 1 in 2016, according to Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest press freedom recorded in Panama?

The highest recorded value was 2 in 1990.

What is the lowest press freedom recorded in Panama?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1987.

How does Panama rank for press freedom?

Panama ranks 61st out of 194 countries with data for 2016.

Is press freedom rising or falling in Panama?

Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Panama data come from?

The figures come from Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Press freedom. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Press freedom in Panama

Name: Press freedom in Panama
Creator: Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Panama: Press freedom was 1 in 2016. ▼ Falling

Latest (2016)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

61st

of 194 countries

All-time high

in 1990

All-time low

in 1987

Years of data

1979–2016

Press freedom in Panama, 1979–2016

Source: Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2016, press freedom in Panama stood at 1.

That represents a change of unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, press freedom in Panama peaked at 2 in 1990 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1987.

That places Panama 61st out of 194 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1970s	1	1	1	1
1980s	0.75	0	1	8
1990s	2	2	2	10
2000s	1.2	1	2	10
2010s	1	1	1	7

Countries ranked near Panama

See the full ranking of 194 places →

More social development data for Panama

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2,694 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 375 (2025)
Physical Integrity Rights Score 2.66 (2019)
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin 2,996 (2025)
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum 4,129 (2025)
Forcibly displaced people 64,109 (2025)
Self-reported life satisfaction 6.55 (2025)
Other people in need of international protection by country or territo 57,286 (2025)

All data for Panama →

Frequently asked questions

What is press freedom in Panama?: Press freedom in Panama was 1 in 2016, according to Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest press freedom recorded in Panama?: The highest recorded value was 2 in 1990.
What is the lowest press freedom recorded in Panama?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1987.
How does Panama rank for press freedom?: Panama ranks 61st out of 194 countries with data for 2016.
Is press freedom rising or falling in Panama?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Panama data come from?: The figures come from Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Press freedom. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Press freedom
Source: Freedom House (2017) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 194 places, 6,417 data points, 1979–2016
Last refreshed: 06 August 2026

Based on the classification and data by Freedom House. It captures the legal, political, and economic environment of the press.