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Hundreds of protesters with signs and flags in front of a capital building.
Freedom in the World 2020 Map of Freedom

Freedom in the World

Latest Edition

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 more than 40 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 15 territories. External analysts assess 210 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:

  • All Data, FIW 2013-2020 (Excel Download)
  • Country and Territory Ratings and Statuses, 1973-2020 (Excel Download)
  • Aggregate Category and Subcategory Scores, 2003-2020 (Excel Download)
  • List of Electoral Democracies, FIW 2020 (Excel Download)

Our Donors

This report was made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Merrill Family Foundation, Google, Inc., and the Lilly Endowment. Freedom in the World receives no governmental funding.

Resources

Freedom on the Net 2015 Map

Methodology

Learn more about the report's methodology, including the research questions and the ratings review process.

Freedom in the World 2020 Map of Freedom

Frequently Asked Questions

 Find answers to our most frequently asked questions on Freedom in the World, available in both English and Ukrainian. 

europe region screenshot fiw 2020

Report Archive

The first edition of Freedom in the World covered the year 1972. Find reports from 1972 to the present, including full PDF reports downloads and historical data in Excel format.

Recent Editions

FIW Hong Kong hero photo

A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy

Freedom in the World

An opposition demonstrator plays the violin during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. Credit: FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images.

Democracy in Retreat

Freedom in the World

 A journalist holds a banner on July 24, 2017 outside the headquarters of opposition daily newspaper Cumhuriyet in Istanbul. Editorial Credit:OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images.

Democracy in Crisis

Freedom in the World

Masked and hooded men gesture outside the stock exchange in Brussels on March 27, 2016 as tensions mounted after the square was invaded by some 200 far-right football hooligans, during a tribute to the victims of the Brussels terror attacks.

Populists and Autocrats: The Dual Threat to Global Democracy

Freedom in the World

Refugees and migrants arriving at the Greek island of Lesbos, October 2015. Photo by Aris Messinis/Getty Images

Anxious Dictators, Wavering Democracies: Global Freedom under Pressure

Freedom in the World

Egyptian man yells in protest at demonstration outside of during a small protest prior to the planned trial of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi at the Cairo Police Academy on January 8, 2014 in Cairo, Egypt

Discarding Democracy: Return to the Iron Fist

Freedom in the World

FIW 2020 interactive map preview

Explore the Map

Explore global freedom trends around the world through the Freedom in the World 2020 interactive map. 

Explore Now

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