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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 2020 Policy Recommendations

An annual study of political rights and civil liberties

Freedom in the World is Freedom House’s flagship annual report, assessing the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world. It is composed of numerical ratings and supporting descriptive texts for 195 countries and 15 territories. Freedom in the World has been published since 1973, allowing Freedom House to track global trends in freedom over more than 40 years. It has become the most widely read and cited report of its kind, used on a regular basis by policymakers, journalists, academics, activists, and many others.

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

How Is Freedom in the World Produced?

External analysts assess the 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.

What Topics Does Freedom in the World Evaluate?

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.

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.

Quick Resources

Freedom on the Net 2015 Map

Freedom in the World Methodology

Check out the report methodology and  checklist of questions for Freedom in the World. 

Freedom in the World 2020 Map of Freedom

Freedom in the World - Frequently Asked Questions

ukraine country flag

Freedom in the World FAQ (Ukrainian Language)

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

 

Data Resources

Past Years' Ratings

The first edition of Freedom in the World covered the year 1972. The historical data are available in Excel format here below. 

Freedom in the World Comparative and Historical Data:

  • 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)

 

Past Editions

Full Books (Overview Essay + Country Narratives) 

  • Freedom in the World 2020 Complete Book — PDF Download Coming Soon
  • Freedom in the World 2019 Complete Book — PDF Download Coming Soon
  • Freedom in the World 2018 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2017 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2016 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2015 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2014 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2013 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2012 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2011 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2010 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2009 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2008 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2007 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2006 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2005 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2004 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2003 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2001-2002 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 2000-2001 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1999-2000 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1998-1999 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1997-1998 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1996-1997 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1995-1996 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1994-1995 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1993-1994 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1992-1993 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1991-1992 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1990-1991 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1989-1990 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1988-1989 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1987-1988 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1986-1987 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1985-1986 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1984-1985 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1983-1984 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1982 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1981 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1980 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1979 Complete Book — Download PDF
  • Freedom in the World 1978 Complete Book — Download PDF

 

For data files, historic maps, or other archival information regarding Freedom in the World, please email [email protected]. 

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