Freedom in the World 2025 assesses the state of freedom in 195 countries and 13 territories for the year 2024. The report evaluates various factors including the electoral process, political pluralism and participation, government functioning, freedom of expression and belief, rights to association and organization, the rule of law, and personal autonomy. Each country and territory is scored on 25 indicators, with points ranging from 0 to 4, resulting in a total score of up to 100. The indicators are divided into two categories: political rights (0–40) and civil liberties (0–60), with equal weight given to both to determine whether a country is classified as Free, Partly Free, or Not Free.
The report assesses that, in 2024, global freedom continued its downward trend for the 19th consecutive year, with 60 countries experiencing setbacks in political rights and civil liberties, while only 34 saw improvements. The most significant declines were recorded in El Salvador, Haiti, Kuwait, and Tunisia, whereas Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Syria made notable gains.
The year’s unprecedented wave of elections was marred by violence and authoritarian interference. In over 40% of national elections, candidates faced assassination attempts or attacks, polling stations were targeted, and post-election protests were met with harsh crackdowns. Meanwhile, authoritarian regimes manipulated elections to block genuine opposition.
Global conflicts have further hindered democratic development, as the rise of wars, militias, mercenaries, and criminal organizations has compromised both security and fundamental rights. Over the past two decades, the world has grown both less free and more dangerous. The latest data from Freedom in the World shows that 41 countries and territories earned a score of 0 out of 4 for physical security, reflecting a lack of even the most basic safeguards against violence from warfare, insurgencies, crime, and abusive law enforcement.
‘’When nonstate armed groups infiltrate state institutions, they erode elected civilian rule, anticorruption mechanisms, due process, and judicial independence’’
In an increasing number of democracies, elected leaders are attacking key institutions like the media, anti-corruption bodies, and the judiciary, eroding fundamental freedoms and democratic norms. Democracies safeguard individual rights through a system of checks and balances, where power is limited by legislatures, independent agencies, the courts, and a free press. These safeguards help prevent both deliberate abuse and unintentional mistakes, allowing for thorough review of decisions before and after they are made. However, as seen globally, these checks can weaken over time, posing risks to democratic values and potentially harming ordinary citizens. Leaders who exploit political populism are particularly prone to undermining these institutions in their rush to fulfill promises and disrupt the status quo.
Turkey remains classified as Not Free in the Freedom in the World 2025 report, maintaining its global score of 33 out of 100, with a score of 17/40 in political rights, 16/60 in civil liberties and 31/100 in internet liberties. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the country has continued its authoritarian trajectory, with power increasingly concentrated in the executive branch. Constitutional changes have further weakened institutional checks, while the government persistently targets political opponents, journalists, and civil society actors through arrests and censorship. Despite holding elections, Turkey’s political landscape is heavily skewed in favor of the ruling party, limiting genuine democratic competition. With ongoing restrictions on freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press, the country’s democratic backsliding shows little sign of reversal, leading Turkey to be part of the countries with the most dramatic decline in freedom observed in every region of the world, with a lose of 22 points in the past decade.
The Freedom in the World 2025 report emphasizes the urgent need for democratic solidarity. While threats to freedom persist, recent events offer hope. In Bangladesh, Senegal, and South Korea, citizens have pushed back against authoritarianism and defended democratic institutions. Guatemala and Poland’s reform efforts show that rebuilding damaged systems is challenging but achievable.
Syria’s future is uncertain, yet the fall of the Assad regime proves no dictatorship is permanent. However, rising security threats, growing repression, and leaders undermining institutions demand action. Strengthening democracy, exposing rights violations, promoting peace, and supporting activists are crucial steps to reversing nearly two decades of decline. The fight for freedom requires collective commitment—now more than ever.
Yazar: Selin Demir
