Freedom in the World

Freedom in the World is the most widely read and cited report of its kind, tracking global trends in political rights and civil liberties for over 50 years.

About the Report

Since 1973, Freedom House has assessed the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world. It is used on a regular basis by policymakers, journalists, academics, activists, and many others.

The Data

The Freedom in the World report is composed of numerical ratings and supporting descriptive texts for 195 countries and 13 territories. External analysts assess 208 countries and territories, using a combination of on-the-ground research, consultations with local contacts, and information from news articles, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and a variety of other sources. Expert advisers and regional specialists then vet the analysts’ conclusions. The final product represents the consensus of the analysts, advisers, and Freedom House staff.

For each country and territory, Freedom in the World analyzes the electoral process, political pluralism and participation, the functioning of the government, freedom of expression and of belief, associational and organizational rights, the rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights.

Comparative and Historical Data Files:

Donors

This report was made possible by the generous support of the Dutch Postcode Lottery, Google, Inc., the Hurford Foundation, the Merrill Family Foundation, Meta Platforms, Inc., Robert Tuttle & Maria Hummer-Tuttle, and the generous donors to the Michael J. Abramowitz Fund for Freedom in the World.

The Freedom in the World Junior Fellowship program gives young researchers critical work experience in the democracy and human rights field. The nine-month program employs Junior Fellows in core research positions to contribute to this report, and equips them with a range of marketable skills that can propel them on to successful careers.

The Freedom in the World Junior Fellowship program is generously underwritten by the Merrill Family Foundation. The Junior Fellows contributing to Freedom in the World 2025 include: Phumelele Mncina (Junior Fellow for West, Central, and Southern Africa), Nodari Tsaava (Junior Fellow for Eurasia), and Rachel Simroth (Junior Fellow for North and East Africa).

Freedom House is committed to editorial independence and is solely responsible for this report’s content. No government sourced funds were used in the production of this report.