Gabon
Not Free
25
100
| PR Political Rights | 5 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 20 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
21
100
Not Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Former president Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeded his father Omar in 2009 and maintained political dominance for years through a combination of patronage and repression. He was removed from office by a coup in 2023. Presidential and legislative polls held in 2025 signaled a return to electoral politics, though most legislators supported the winning presidential candidate, Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the 2023 coup and had exerted concerning influence as Gabon’s transitional president. Significant problems persist, including discrimination against immigrants, marginalization of ethnic minority groups, and legal and de facto inequality for women.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2026 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see the reports from the 2024 and 2025 editions of Freedom in the World.
A1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 1.001 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 0 to 1 because Brice Oligui Nguema, who initially came to power in a 2023 coup, won the presidential election, signaling a return to electoral politics.
A2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 1.001 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 0 to 1 because the country held the first local and legislative elections since the 2023 coup, signaling a return to electoral politics.
A3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 0.000 4.004 |
B1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 1.001 4.004 |
B2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 1.001 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 0 to 1 because the parliamentary elections brought new parties and candidates into the legislature; observers noted, however, that virtually all of the elected legislators supported President Oligui.
B3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 0.000 4.004 |
B4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 1.001 4.004 |
C1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 0.000 4.004 |
C2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 0.000 4.004 |
C3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 0.000 4.004 |
D1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 2.002 4.004 |
D2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 3.003 4.004 |
D3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 1.001 4.004 |
D4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 2.002 4.004 |
E1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 2.002 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 1 to 2 because some political meetings were held without incident during the year’s election campaign.
E2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 1.001 4.004 |
E3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 1.001 4.004 |
F1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 0.000 4.004 |
F2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 1.001 4.004 |
F3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 1.001 4.004 |
F4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 1.001 4.004 |
G1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 2.002 4.004 |
G2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 1.001 4.004 |
G3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 1.001 4.004 |
G4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 1.001 4.004 |
Country Facts
-
Population
2,389,000 -
Global Freedom Score
25 100 not free
