United States
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
81 / 100
Free
Internet Freedom
73 / 100
Free
The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. However, in recent years its democratic institutions have suffered erosion.
Research & Recommendations
United States
Free
81
100
| PR Political Rights | 32 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 49 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
84
100
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.
Overview
The United States is a federal republic with a strong rule-of-law tradition and robust formal protections for freedoms of expression and religious belief, along with a wide array of other civil liberties. In recent years, a number of factors—including political polarization, the growing role of money in politics, and discrimination, among others—have contributed to new infringements on fundamental rights and significantly hampered the ability of federal institutions to fulfill their core responsibilities with respect to budgeting, oversight, and governance.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
United States
Free
73
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 20 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 28 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 25 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
76
100
Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Political Overview
The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. However, Freedom House research has found that its democratic institutions have suffered erosion in recent years and across presidential administrations, as reflected in rising political polarization and extremism, partisan pressure on the electoral process, mistreatment and dysfunction in the criminal justice and immigration systems, and growing disparities in wealth, economic opportunity, and political influence.
Freedom on the Net 2025 Policy Recommendations
Countering Restrictions on Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression online has been and is increasingly under attack as governments shut off internet connectivity, block social media platforms, and restrict access to websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards for digital communications.
Countering Manipulation of the Online Environment
Governments should encourage a whole-of-society approach to fostering a high-quality, diverse, and trustworthy information space. The Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online identifies best practices for safeguarding the information ecosystem, to which governments should adhere.
Countering Restrictions on Privacy and Disproportionate Government Surveillance
Comprehensive data-protection regulations and industry policies on data protection are essential for upholding privacy and combating disproportionate government surveillance, but they require careful crafting to ensure that they do not contribute to internet fragmentation—the siloing of the global internet into nation-based segments—and cannot be used by governments to undermine privacy and other fundamental freedoms.
Exiles and diasporas living in the United States face serious threats from abroad. Potential targets of transnational repression in the US include people who support human rights and democracy in their former homelands, and those who advocate for the well-being of friends and family they left behind.
Policy Recommendations: Transnational Repression
Raising awareness about the threat of transnational repression.
Like-minded governments and international organizations should work together to highlight the threat of transnational repression and establish international norms for addressing it.
Limiting the ability of perpetrators to commit transnational repression.
This includes agreeing on a common definition of transnational repression, and prohibiting the use of Interpol notices on their own to deny immigration or asylum benefits or conduct arrests.
Bringing accountability for acts of transnational repression.
Among other tactics, governments should deploy a robust strategy for targeted sanctions against perpetrators of transnational repression.
Election Watch for the Digital Age equips technology companies, civil society organizations, and policymakers with a data-driven resource for evaluating the human rights impact of internet platforms on a country’s electoral process.
Our Election Vulnerability Index consists of key election-related indicators regarding a country’s political rights and internet freedom. Derived from our annual Freedom in the World and Freedom on the Net reports, the data and accompanying analysis allows users to identify specific areas of concern ahead of a country’s election, including online influence operations, internet shutdowns, or intercommunal tensions fanned by social media.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
81
/ 100
Free
Freedom on the Net Score
73
/ 100
Free
Population: 333,300,000
Internet Facts
Status
Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
No
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
November 5, 2024
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
97.10%
Election Year
2024
Vulnerability Index
78
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Host Country
Key Origin States
China, Egypt, Iran, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia
Best Practices
High level of awareness among officials; Use of targeted sanctions against perpetrators
More on US Democracy
US: International Context for Prosecuting Former Presidents
Legal cases against former heads of state are commonplace in healthy democracies. The United States, with its strong rule-of-law tradition and independent judicial institutions, is entirely capable of handling this challenge and affirming that former presidents are not above the law.
Principles for Safeguarding US Democracy
The United States has a unique capacity and a moral obligation to cultivate alliances with free nations and lend support to democracy advocates in authoritarian or transitional settings.
Reimagining American Democracy
Join Freedom House, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the George W. Bush Institute, and Issue One for conversations that are forward-thinking and dedicated to one of the most important issues of our time. The program features journalist-led conversations with the thinkers, activists, policymakers, and organizations envisioning what a more vibrant and inclusive democracy in America could look like - and what it will take to get there.
