People hold white sheets of paper in protest over COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing in 2022. Crowds had gathered for a vigil honoring the victims of a fire in Urumqi, which took place during COVID-19- related lockdowns in China. (Image credit: Reuters/Thomas Peter)

Expanding and Defending Freedom Around the World

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Perspectives

How the Pall Mall Process Can Help Combat Commercial Spyware Abuse

Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people.

The Effects of the US Foreign Aid Freeze on Freedom House

On January 20, 2025, the Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid froze all programs funded by US foreign assistance and ultimately led to the termination of more than 80 percent of Freedom House’s programs and activities in more than 140 countries. Despite these setbacks, we remain steadfast in the pursuit of our mission, and we are adapting to meet the moment.

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Explore Freedom in the World 2025

Students gather in Dhaka, Bangladesh to protest the police and the ruling party, the Awami League.

Read the Report

Violence and the repression of political opponents during elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th year of declining freedom. In the year to come, all those who understand the value of political rights and civil liberties must work together in the defense of democracy.

Protesters with placards that say “Insurrection, Yoon Suk-yeol, Impeachment” gather outside the National Assembly. Demonstrators called for President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation after he declared martial law.

Policy Recommendations

Democratic governments, donors, and the private sector must deepen their solidarity with front-line allies, hold dictators accountable for rights abuses and corruption, and invest in democratic institutions at home and abroad.

Explore the Map

Explore the interactive Freedom in the World 2025 map, where you can see country scores, Freedom Status, and trends.

Tracking Freedom Around the World

Explore Our Interactive Map

Latest Research

Justice in Shackles: The Global Persecution of Judges and Lawyers

Around the world, autocrats are detaining, prosecuting, and imprisoning legal and judicial professionals as part of a larger assault on the rule of law. Supporters of democracy should guard against and condemn the early signs of erosion, not just for upholding the rights and liberties of other citizens, but also for ensuring a country’s security and prosperity.

People at Dulles International Airport in the Unites States await the arrival of the 222 political prisoners who were expelled from Nicaragua on February 9, 2023.

No Way In or Out: Authoritarian Controls on the Freedom of Movement

Authoritarian governments around the world are restricting freedom of movement in retribution for political activism and dissent, subjecting people to a variety of repressive tactics, including travel bans, revocation of citizenship, confiscation of passports. Read our latest report, No Way In or Out: Authoritarian Controls on the Freedom of Movement.

Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners

Entrenched autocratic leaders are intensifying efforts to silence human rights defenders and democracy activists. Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners aims to document and study the cases of the thousands of activists who have been imprisoned or otherwise deprived of their liberty, and to advocate for their immediate release.