Freest Countries in the World 2023 - Wisevoter (2024)

Albania

Algeria

Algeria ranks twelfth among the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.26, characterized by limitations on political rights, lack of press freedom, restrictions on civil liberties, and a governance system that hinders political pluralism and stifles dissent.

Angola

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Australia ranks eighth among the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.84, boasting a well-established democracy, robust legal framework protecting civil liberties, and a market-oriented economy that promotes economic freedom and prosperity.

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Burundi shares the ninth position as one of the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.02, characterized by political repression, limited political pluralism, and a shrinking space for civil society, resulting in a curtailment of freedoms and an erosion of human rights.

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Canada is the sixth freest country in the world with a score of 8.85, characterized by a well-functioning democracy, respect for human rights, and a commitment to political and civil liberties.

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic ranks nineteenth among the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.62, known for its political instability, weak rule of law, limited civil liberties, and ongoing violence that hampers the protection of human rights.

Chad

Chad ranks sixteenth among the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.57, characterized by limited political freedoms, restrictions on civil liberties, weak rule of law, and ongoing human rights concerns.

Chile

Colombia

Comoros

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo shares the eighteenth position as one of the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.62, marked by political instability, weak governance, widespread corruption, limited civil liberties, and ongoing conflicts that impact human rights.

Denmark

Denmark is the third freest country in the world with a score of 8.98, renowned for its strong protection of civil liberties, high levels of political freedom, and comprehensive social welfare system that balances individual freedoms with societal well-being.

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

East Timor

Ecuador

Egypt

Egypt is the fifth least free country in the world with a score of 4.49, characterized by restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, limited political pluralism, and a heavy-handed approach towards dissent, resulting in a lack of fundamental freedoms and human rights.

El Salvador

Estonia

Estonia is the fourth freest country in the world with a score of 8.91, celebrated for its efficient government, respect for individual liberties, and a digitally advanced society that promotes e-governance and personal freedoms.

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Fiji

Finland

Finland shares the seventh position as one of the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.85, recognized for its strong legal protections, high levels of political freedom, and emphasis on social equality and individual well-being.

France

Gabon

Georgia

Germany

Germany is the fifteenth freest country in the world with a score of 8.73, renowned for its strong rule of law, protection of civil liberties, and a society that values political pluralism and social cohesion.

Ghana

Greece

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Iceland is the twelfth freest country in the world with a score of 8.77, known for its strong democratic institutions, high levels of political freedom, and a society that values equality, personal autonomy, and the rule of law.

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iran holds the sixth position as one of the least free countries in the world with a score of 4.53, marked by an authoritarian regime, restrictions on freedom of expression and association, limited political rights, and a lack of respect for civil liberties, contributing to a low level of individual freedoms.

Iraq

Iraq ranks eighth among the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.02, facing challenges including political instability, violence, sectarian tensions, and a lack of respect for civil liberties, which impact the overall level of freedom and hinder the enjoyment of fundamental rights.

Ireland

Ireland is the fifth freest country in the world with a score of 8.9, benefiting from a strong rule of law, protection of civil liberties, and a business-friendly environment that fosters economic freedom and innovation.

Israel

Italy

Ivory Coast

Jamaica

Japan

Japan shares the sixteenth position as one of the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.73, known for its stable democracy, high levels of political freedom, and a culture that promotes social order, respect for individual rights, and technological advancements.

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Libya is the tenth least free country in the world with a score of 5.05, facing challenges such as political instability, armed conflict, and a lack of effective governance, leading to widespread human rights violations, restricted civil liberties, and a challenging environment for individual freedoms.

Lithuania

Lithuania ranks nineteenth among the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.68, known for its political stability, respect for civil liberties, and a society that upholds individual freedoms and the rule of law.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg is the tenth freest country in the world, scoring 8.8, and excels in its protection of personal freedoms, political stability, and a high standard of living supported by a thriving economy and strong rule of law.

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Mali

Malta

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Moldova

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar

Namibia

Nepal

Netherlands

The Netherlands is the eleventh freest country in the world with a score of 8.78, recognized for its strong protection of civil liberties, political stability, and a progressive approach to social policies that promote inclusivity and individual freedoms.

New Zealand

New Zealand is the second freest country in the world with a score of 9.01, known for its robust democracy, respect for civil liberties, and transparent government that promotes political freedom and citizen participation in decision-making processes.

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Norway

Norway ranks thirteenth among the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.76, celebrated for its robust human rights protections, well-functioning democratic system, and social welfare model that emphasizes individual freedoms and equality of opportunity.

Oman

Pakistan

Pakistan is the twentieth least free country in the world with a score of 5.63, characterized by restrictions on political freedoms, limited civil liberties, curtailed freedom of expression and religion, and a challenging security environment that impacts individual freedoms.

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

People's Republic of China

China shares the fifteenth position as one of the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.57, known for its authoritarian political system, strict control over civil liberties, suppression of dissent, censorship, and mass surveillance.

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Portugal is the eighteenth freest country in the world with a score of 8.69, characterized by its strong commitment to personal freedoms, democratic governance, and a progressive social agenda that promotes inclusivity and individual well-being.

Qatar

Republic of Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo occupies the fourteenth position as one of the least free countries in the world with a score of 5.55, marked by a lack of political freedoms, limited civil liberties, weak institutions, and a history of political instability and human rights abuses.

Romania

Russia

Rwanda

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the eleventh least free country in the world with a score of 5.12, primarily due to its lack of political freedoms, restrictions on civil liberties, limited freedom of expression and association, and a legal system that curtails individual rights.

Senegal

Serbia

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Somalia

Somalia is the seventh least free country in the world with a score of 4.93, plagued by conflict, political instability, weak governance, and the absence of functional institutions, resulting in significant limitations on personal freedoms, rule of law, and human rights protections.

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Sudan ranks fourth among the least free countries in the world with a score of 4.48, facing challenges such as political repression, limited freedom of speech, ongoing conflicts, and human rights abuses, impacting the overall level of personal freedoms and civil liberties.

Suriname

Sweden

Sweden is the ninth freest country in the world with a score of 8.83, known for its progressive social policies, respect for individual rights, and a well-functioning democracy that upholds political freedoms and civil liberties.

Switzerland

Switzerland is the freest country in the world with a score of 9.11, thanks to its strong commitment to individual rights, civil liberties, and a stable legal system that upholds personal freedoms and privacy.

Syria

Syria is the least free country in the world with a score of 3.66, due to its ongoing civil war, oppressive regime, and severe restrictions on civil liberties and political rights that suppress individual freedoms and violate human rights.

Taiwan

Taiwan shares the twentieth position as one of the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.68, celebrated for its vibrant democracy, protection of civil liberties, and a society that values political participation, personal freedoms, and technological advancements.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan is the thirteenth least free country in the world with a score of 5.52, primarily due to its restricted political freedoms, limited civil liberties, suppression of dissenting voices, and a weak rule of law.

Tanzania

Thailand

The Bahamas

The Gambia

Togo

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom shares the fourteenth position as one of the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.75, characterized by a long-standing tradition of democratic governance, respect for civil liberties, and a legal system that safeguards individual rights and freedoms.

United States of America

The United States also ranks seventeenth among the freest countries in the world with a score of 8.73, benefiting from a strong constitutional framework that protects civil liberties, political pluralism, and a free-market economy that fosters individual entrepreneurship and innovation.

Uruguay

Venezuela

Venezuela ranks second as one of the least free countries in the world with a score of 4.03, characterized by an authoritarian government, economic instability, widespread corruption, and a deteriorating human rights situation that includes restrictions on freedom of expression and political dissent.

Vietnam

Yemen

Yemen is the third least free country in the world with a score of 4.08, suffering from a protracted conflict, political instability, and a lack of respect for human rights, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and significant limitations on civil liberties.

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is the seventeenth least free country in the world with a score of 5.6, primarily due to its lack of political freedoms, weak rule of law, limited civil liberties, and a history of political repression and economic instability.

What is the freest country in the world ?

The freest country in the world is Switzerland with a score of 9.11.

Is Canada a free country ?

​​Yes, Canada is considered a free country based on its score of 8.85.

Is America a free country ?

Yes, America is considered a free country based on its score of 8.73.