Nations in Transit
Nations in Transit is the only comprehensive, comparative, and multidimensional study of reform in the former Communist states of Europe and Eurasia. Nations in Transit tracks the reform record of 29 countries and administrative areas and provides Freedom House's most in-depth data about this vast and important region.
Nations in Transit 2018: Confronting Illiberalism
Contempt for independent institutions and open discussion has become entrenched from Central Europe to Eurasia. Time is running out for the EU and the United States to confront the antidemocratic backlash.
KEY RESOURCES
Research Methodology
Nations in Transit measures progress and setbacks in democratization in 29 countries from Central Europe to Central Asia.
Download Report PDF
Download the Nations in Transit 2018 report here.
What Is Nations in Transit?
Nations in Transit is Freedom House’s research project on democracy in the 29 formerly communist countries from Central Europe to Central Asia. The flagship of the project is an annual survey of democratic reform that has been published since 1995, and with the same methodology since 2003. Nations in Transit also publishes briefs on topics relevant to democratic reform in the region.
What Does Nations in Transit Measure?
The Nations in Transit annual report researchers score the countries on a scale of 1 to 7 in seven categories: National Democratic Governance, Local Democratic Governance, Electoral Process, Independent Media, Civil Society, Judicial Framework and Independence, and Corruption. Category scores are based on a detailed list of questions available here. These category scores are straight-averaged to create a country’s “Democracy Score” on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being the most democratic, and 7 the least.
Our Team
Freedom House contracts independent researchers from academia, journalism, and civil society for each country to draft the country reports and make the initial scoring. These draft country reports and score proposals are sent to between three and six reviewers per country per year for comments. After researchers have a chance to respond to the comments, Nations in Transit and its advisors meet to finalize scores for each country. Where possible, scores reflect the consensus of researchers, reviewers, advisors, and Freedom House, but Freedom House has the final vote on all score changes.
Our Donor
The annual report is funded through a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Past Editions
- Nations in Transit 2017: The False Promise of Populism
- Nations in Transit 2016: Europe and Eurasia Brace for Impact
- Nations in Transit 2015 — Download PDF
- Nations in Transit 2014 — Download PDF
- Nations in Transit 2013 — Download PDF
- Nations in Transit 2012 — Download PDF
- Nations in Transit 2011 — Download PDF
- Nations in Transit 2010 — Download PDF
- Nations in Transit 2009 — Download PDF