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Freedom in the World 2023 Map

Freedom in the World

Read the Latest Edition Download PDF

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 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 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 2013-2023 (Excel Download)
  • Country and Territory Ratings and Statuses, 1973-2023 (Excel Download)
  • Aggregate Category and Subcategory Scores, 2003-2023 (Excel Download)
  • List of Electoral Democracies, FIW 2023 (Excel Download)

Donors

This report was made possible by the generous support of Google, Inc., The Hurford Foundation, Jyllands-Posten Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc., the Merrill Family Foundation, and National Endowment for Democracy.

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, with support from the Panter Foundation. The Junior Fellows contributing to Freedom in the World 2023 include:

Dasha M., Junior Fellow for Europe and Eurasia
Arya Patel, Junior Fellow for sub-Saharan Africa
Eilidh Stalker, Junior Fellow for the Americas

Resources

Freedom in the World 2023 Map

Methodology

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

Freedom in the World 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

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

​​​​​​​A protester carries a version of the Belarusian flag favored by the democratic opposition during a demonstration in Minsk against the fraudulent August 2020 presidential election. Image credit: Sergei Bobylev\TASS via Getty Images.

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

Iranian people in Izmir protest the death of Mahsa Amini by the morality police in Iran.

Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy

Freedom in the World

People gather in Myanmar to protest the February 1, 2021 military coup. (Image credit: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule

Freedom in the World

FIW 2021 crop 2 cover photo

Democracy under Siege

Freedom in the World

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

Freedom in the World 2023 Map

Explore the Map

Explore global freedom trends around the world through the Freedom in the World 2023 interactive map. 

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