Freedom in the World Country Ra
1972-2009
Americas
Edition * Jan.-Feb. 1973 Jan.-Feb. 1974
Year(s) covered 1972 1973
PR CL Status PR CL Status
Antigua & Barbuda .. .. .. .. .. ..
Argentina 6 3 PF 2 2 F
Bahamas .. .. .. 1 2 F
Barbados 1 1 F 1 1 F
Belize .. .. .. .. .. ..
Bolivia 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
Brazil 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
Canada 1 1 F 1 1 F
Chile 1 2 F 7 5 NF
Colombia 2 2 F 2 2 F
Costa Rica 1 1 F 1 1 F
Cuba 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Dominica .. .. .. .. .. ..
Dominican Republic 3 2 F 3 2 F
Ecuador 7 3 PF 7 4 PF
El Salvador 2 3 F 2 3 F
Grenada .. .. .. .. .. ..
Guatemala 2 3 F 2 2 F
Guyana 2 2 F 4 2 PF
Haiti 7 6 NF 6 6 NF
Honduras 7 3 PF 6 3 PF
Jamaica 1 2 F 1 2 F
Mexico 5 3 PF 4 3 PF
Nicaragua 4 3 PF 5 4 PF
Panama 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Paraguay 4 6 PF 5 5 PF
Peru 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
St. Kitts & Nevis .. .. .. .. .. ..
St. Lucia .. .. .. .. .. ..
St. Vincent & Grenadines .. .. .. .. .. ..
Suriname .. .. .. .. .. ..
Trinidad & Tobago 2 3 F 2 2 F
United States 1 1 F 1 1 F
Uruguay 3 4 PF 5 5 PF
Venezuela 2 2 F 2 2 F
Notes and Clarifications
The table above lists all country scores for the Americas region since the annual Freedom in the World s
Methodological changes have been effected periodically. For discussions of these changes, please consu
For a full explanation of the current methodology, please consult the most recent edition of the survey.
"PR" stands for "Political Rights," "CL" stands for "Civil Liberties," and "Status" is the Freedom Status.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with one representing the highe
“F,” “PF,” and “NF,” respectively, stand for “Free,” “Partly Free,” and “Not Free.”
Until 2003, countries whose combined average ratings for Political Rights and for Civil Liberties fell betw
Beginning with the ratings for 2003, countries whose combined average ratings fall between 3.0 and 5.0 a
Ratings for territories are not included in this table.
Several countries became independent, split into two or more countries, or merged with a neighboring st
* These refer to the various editions of Freedom in the World , except for Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Fe
The first Freedom in the World book-length survey was the 1978 edition.
orld Country Ratings by Region
1972-2009
Americas
Jan.-Feb. 1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Jan.-Feb. 1977
1974 1975 1976
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 6 5
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 4
4 4 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5
2 2 F 2 3 F 2 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 3
7 4 PF 7 4 PF 6 4
2 3 F 2 3 F 3 3
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3
7 7 NF 4 3 PF 3 3
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
6 3 PF 6 3 PF 6 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 3
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 4
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 6
6 6 NF 6 4 PF 6 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. 2 2 F 2 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6 6
2 2 F 2 2 F 1 2
nual Freedom in the World survey was first compiled for the year 1972.
f these changes, please consult the methodology essays for various editions of the survey.
ecent edition of the survey.
Status" is the Freedom Status.
ith one representing the highest degree of Freedom and seven the lowest.
nd for Civil Liberties fell between 1.0 and 2.5 were designated "Free"; between 3.0 and 5.5 “Partly Free," and between 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
ngs fall between 3.0 and 5.0 are "Partly Free," and those between 5.5 and 7.0 are "Not Free."
merged with a neighboring state. Scores for these countries are given only for the period of their existence as independent states.
an.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Feb. 1977, which are from the bimonthly journal Freedom at Issue.
.-Feb. 1977 1978 1979 1980
1977 1978
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 6 4 PF 5 3 PF 3
PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
NF 7 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
.. .. .. .. 2 3 F 2
PF 4 2 PF 2 2 F 2
PF 6 4 PF 5 4 PF 2
PF 4 4 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 5
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4
PF 3 3 PF 4 4 PF 4
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 6 3 PF 6 3 PF 6
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 4 3 PF 4 4 PF 3
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5
NF 5 6 NF 5 5 PF 5
PF 6 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
1980 1981 1982
1979 1980 Jan.1981-Aug. 1982
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
.. .. .. .. .. 2 3 F
5 NF 6 5 NF 3 3 PF
2 F 1 2 F 2 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. .. 1 2 F
3 PF 7 5 NF 2 3 F
3 PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 F 2 3 F 1 2 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
4 PF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF
5 PF 6 5 PF 7 5 NF
5 PF 6 6 PF 6 6 NF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
3 PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 6 5 PF
5 PF 4 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
4 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F
.. .. .. .. .. 2 2 F
3 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 F 7 5 NF 7 6 NF
2 F 2 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
6 NF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86
Aug.1982-Nov.1983 Nov.1983-Nov.1984 Nov.1984-Nov.1985
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
3 3 PF 2 2 F 2 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 1 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 2 1 F 1 1
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 2 F 1 3 F 1 3
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 3
4 5 PF 3 5 PF 2 4
7 6 NF 5 3 PF 2 3
6 6 NF 5 6 PF 4 4
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
3 3 PF 2 3 F 2 3
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4
6 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 4 PF 4 3 PF 6 3
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
2 2 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 2 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
1984-Nov.1985 Nov.1985-Nov.1986 Nov.1986-Nov.1987 Nov.1987-Nov.1988
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2
F 2 2 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 5
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
F 2 2 F 2 1 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 5 4 PF 6 5 PF 7
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3
PF 5 6 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 6 3 PF 5 5 PF 6
PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 6
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 6 6 NF 4 4 PF 3
F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
1988-89 1989-90 1990-91
Nov.1987-Nov.1988 Nov.1988-Dec.1989 1990
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
3 F 2 3 F 3 2 F
1 F 1 2 F 1 3 F
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
3 F 2 2 F 2 3 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 PF 4 3 PF 2 2 F
3 F 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
2 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
3 F 1 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
1 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 4 PF
5 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 NF 7 5 NF 4 4 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
4 PF 4 3 PF 4 4 PF
4 PF 5 5 PF 3 3 PF
5 NF 7 6 NF 4 2 PF
6 NF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
3 F 2 4 PF 3 4 PF
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 3 3 PF 4 3 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 1 3 F 1 3 F
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
1991 1992 1993
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3
1 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
2 3 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
2 3 F 2 3 F 3 4
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1
2 3 F 2 3 F 3 3
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
5 4 PF 3 3 PF 2 2
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 3 F 2 3 F 3 3
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 3
4 4 PF 4 3 PF 4 4
3 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 5
4 2 PF 4 3 PF 3 3
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
3 5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1
4 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 2 2
1 3 F 3 3 PF 3 3
1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
1994 1995
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 3 F 2 4 PF 2
PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
F 2 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 3
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
NF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 4
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF 3
PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 4
F 2 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 1
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 2
1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1996 1997 1998
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 3 3 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 2 2 F 3 2 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 2 3 F
4 PF 3 3 PF 2 3 F
3 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
5 PF 4 5 PF 5 5 PF
3 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F
3 F 2 3 F 2 2 F
3 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
3 PF 3 3 PF 2 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
3 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
1999 2000 2001
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
4 3 PF 4 2 PF 4 2
2 3 F 1 2 F 3 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2
1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3
3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 3 F 2 2 F 2 2
2 3 F 3 3 PF 3 3
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
5 5 PF 6 5 NF 6 6
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 3
3 4 PF 2 3 F 2 3
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3
5 4 PF 3 3 PF 1 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1
3 3 PF 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 2 2 F 3 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 1 F 1 1
4 4 PF 3 5 PF 3 5
2001-02 2003 2004 2005
2002 2003
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
PF 4 2 PF 4 2 PF 2
PF 3 3 PF 2 2 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 3 F 3 3 PF 3
PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 3 2 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
2005 2006 2007
2004 2005 2006
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
2 F 3 3 PF 2 3 F
6 NF 7 6 NF 4 5 PF
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 3 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 PF 3 2 F 2 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
2008 2009 2010
2007 2008 2009
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
2 2 F 2 2 F 3 2 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 3 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 4 PF
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
3 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 4 PF
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 5 4 PF
Freedom in the World Country Ratings by Region
1972-2009
Asia-Pacific
Edition * Jan.-Feb. 1973 Jan.-Feb. 1974 Jan.-Feb. 1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Jan.-Feb. 1977
Year(s) covered 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
Afghanistan 4 5 PF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
Australia 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
Bangladesh 2 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 7 5 NF 7 4
Bhutan 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
Brunei 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
Burma 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
Cambodia 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
China 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
East Timor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Fiji 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
India 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 5 PF 2 5
Indonesia 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
Japan 2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1
Kiribati .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Laos 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6 6 NF 7 7
Malaysia 2 3 F 2 3 F 3 3 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
Maldives 3 2 F 3 2 PF 3 2 F 4 4 PF 4 4
Marshall Islands .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Micronesia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Mongolia 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
Nauru 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
Nepal 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
New Zealand 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
North Korea 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
Pakistan 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 5 5 PF 4 5
Palau .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Papua New Guinea .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 PF 2 2
Philippines 4 6 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
Samoa 4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 2
Singapore 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
Solomon Islands .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
South Korea 5 6 NF 4 6 PF 5 6 PF 5 5 PF 5 6
Sri Lanka 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 4 PF 2 3
Taiwan 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 5 5
Thailand 7 5 NF 6 3 PF 5 3 PF 2 3 F 6 6
Tonga 4 2 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3
Tuvalu .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Vanuatu .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Vietnam .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 7
Vietnam, N. 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF .. ..
Vietnam, S. 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 7 7 NF .. ..
Notes and Clarifications
The table above lists all country scores for the Asia-Pacific region since the annual Freedom in the World survey was first compiled for the year 1972.
Methodological changes have been effected periodically. For discussions of these changes, please consult the methodology essays for various editions of the survey.
For a full explanation of the current methodology, please consult the most recent edition of the survey.
"PR" stands for "Political Rights," "CL" stands for "Civil Liberties," and "Status" is the Freedom Status.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with one representing the highest degree of Freedom and seven the lowest.
“F,” “PF,” and “NF,” respectively, stand for “Free,” “Partly Free,” and “Not Free.”
Until 2003, countries whose combined average ratings for Political Rights and for Civil Liberties fell between 1.0 and 2.5 were designated "Free"; between 3.0 and 5.5 “Partly Free," and between 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
Beginning with the ratings for 2003, countries whose combined average ratings fall between 3.0 and 5.0 are "Partly Free," and those between 5.5 and 7.0 are "Not Free."
Ratings for territories are not included in this table.
Several countries became independent, split into two or more countries, or merged with a neighboring state. Scores for these countries are given only for the period of their existence as independent states.
* These refer to the various editions of Freedom in the World , except for Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Feb. 1977, which are from the bimonthly journal Freedom at Issue.
The first Freedom in the World book-length survey was the 1978 edition.
The former Western Samoa is listed under Samoa.
Jan.-Feb. 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
1977 1978 1979 1980 Jan.1981-Aug. 1982
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
NF 6 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
PF 6 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 4 PF 6 5 PF
PF 4 4 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
PF 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 1 2 F
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
PF 4 4 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
NF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 5 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
PF 6 4 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
PF 4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF
.. .. .. .. 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
NF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF
F 2 2 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 3 4 PF
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5 PF 5 6 PF 5 5 PF
NF 6 5 NF 5 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF
.. 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 3 F 2 4 PF
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
ween 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
Aug.1982-Nov.1983 Nov.1983-Nov.1984 Nov.1984-Nov.1985 Nov.1985-Nov.1986 Nov.1986-Nov.1987 Nov.1987-Nov.1988
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
6 5 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 6 5 PF 5
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
5 5 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6
3 4 PF 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 4
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 3
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
5 5 PF 4 4 PF 4 3 PF 4 2 PF 2 2 F 2
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
2 2 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
5 6 PF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF 2
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF 5
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
Nov.1987-Nov.1988 Nov.1988-Dec.1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6 6 NF 7 7
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
5 PF 4 4 PF 5 5 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 4
5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 7 6 NF 7 7
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 4 5
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF 4 3 PF 4 3
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4
5 PF 5 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 7 6
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 2 2
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1
6 NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
5 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 4 5
6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
7 NF 7 7 NF 4 4 PF 2 3 F 3 2 F 2 3
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 3
4 PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 3 4
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
3 PF 3 3 PF 4 4 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 3 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
3 F 2 2 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 4
3 F 2 3 F 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 4
3 PF 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
5 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 5 PF 5 5
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 2
4 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
3 PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF 5 5 PF 3 3 PF 4 4
3 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 6 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 5
3 PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 5 3
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
4 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 1 2
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
PF 2 4 PF 3 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
NF 7 6 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
PF 4 5 PF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 3 F
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 6 4 PF
F 2 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 5 5 PF
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
PF 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF
.. 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 3 F
PF 3 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 3 F
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 3 5 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
PF 3 5 PF 3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 2 3 F
PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2003 2004 2005
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
6 4 PF 6 3 PF 5 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
2 3 F 6 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
4 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF 4
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
7 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 3 3 PF 3
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
1 2 F 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 1
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3
2 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1 2 F 2 2 F 2
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 NF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 6 NF 6 6
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 5 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 4 5 PF 4 5
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
3 PF 4 3 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
4 PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 4 4 PF 3 4
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
5 PF 6 5 NF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 4 5 PF 4 5
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3
3 F 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 PF 3 3 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
1 F 1 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F 1 2
3 F 3 3 PF 7 4 NF 6 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
6 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2010
Status
NF
F
PF
PF
NF
NF
NF
NF
PF
PF
F
F
F
F
NF
PF
PF
F
F
F
F
PF
F
NF
PF
F
PF
PF
F
PF
PF
F
PF
F
PF
PF
F
F
NF
..
..
Freedom in the World Country Ra
1972-2009
Central and Eastern Europe/Form
Edition * Jan.-Feb. 1973 Jan.-Feb. 1974
Year(s) covered 1972 1973
PR CL Status PR CL Status
Albania 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Armenia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Azerbaijan .. .. .. .. .. ..
Belarus .. .. .. .. .. ..
Bosnia-Herzegovina .. .. .. .. .. ..
Bulgaria 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Croatia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Czech Republic .. .. .. .. .. ..
Czechoslovakia 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Estonia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Georgia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Germany, E. 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Hungary 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Kazakhstan .. .. .. .. .. ..
Kosovo .. .. .. .. .. ..
Kyrgyzstan .. .. .. .. .. ..
Latvia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Lithuania .. .. .. .. .. ..
Macedonia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Moldova .. .. .. .. .. ..
Montenegro .. .. .. .. .. ..
Poland 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Romania 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Russia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Serbia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Serbia & Montenegro .. .. .. .. .. ..
Slovakia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Slovenia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Tajikistan .. .. .. .. .. ..
Turkmenistan .. .. .. .. .. ..
Ukraine .. .. .. .. .. ..
USSR 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Uzbekistan .. .. .. .. .. ..
Yugoslavia 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Notes and Clarifications
The table above lists all country scores for Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union sinc
Methodological changes have been effected periodically. For discussions of these changes, please consu
For a full explanation of the current methodology, please consult the most recent edition of the survey.
"PR" stands for "Political Rights," "CL" stands for "Civil Liberties," and "Status" is the Freedom Status.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with one representing the highe
“F,” “PF,” and “NF,” respectively, stand for “Free,” “Partly Free,” and “Not Free.”
Until 2003, countries whose combined average ratings for Political Rights and for Civil Liberties fell betw
Beginning with the ratings for 2003, countries whose combined average ratings fall between 3.0 and 5.0 a
Ratings for territories are not included in this table.
Several countries became independent, split into two or more countries, or merged with a neighboring st
* These refer to the various editions of Freedom in the World , except for Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Fe
The first Freedom in the World book-length survey was the 1978 edition.
For Yugoslavia, ratings from 199 to 2002 were for the country that remained following the departures be
In February 2003, the Yugoslav parliament adopted a constitutional charter establishing the state of Serbi
The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro dissolved when Montenegro withdrew in June 2006, making
orld Country Ratings by Region
1972-2009
rn Europe/Former Soviet Union
Jan.-Feb. 1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Jan.-Feb. 1977
1974 1975 1976
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
the Former Soviet Union since the annual Freedom in the World survey was first compiled for the year 1972.
f these changes, please consult the methodology essays for various editions of the survey.
ecent edition of the survey.
Status" is the Freedom Status.
ith one representing the highest degree of Freedom and seven the lowest.
nd for Civil Liberties fell between 1.0 and 2.5 were designated "Free"; between 3.0 and 5.5 “Partly Free," and between 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
ngs fall between 3.0 and 5.0 are "Partly Free," and those between 5.5 and 7.0 are "Not Free."
merged with a neighboring state. Scores for these countries are given only for the period of their existence as independent states.
an.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Feb. 1977, which are from the bimonthly journal Freedom at Issue.
d following the departures between 1991 and 1992 of Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
establishing the state of Serbia and Montenegro. Thus, beginning in 2003, Yugoslavia is listed as "Serbia and Montenegro."
thdrew in June 2006, making Serbia an independent state. Thus, the ratings for Serbia and Montenegro are listed separately beginning in 2006.
.-Feb. 1977 1978 1979 1980
1977 1978
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 PF 6
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
egro."
ately beginning in 2006.
1980 1981 1982
1979 1980 Jan.1981-Aug. 1982
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 PF 6 4 PF 6 5 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 PF
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86
Aug.1982-Nov.1983 Nov.1983-Nov.1984 Nov.1984-Nov.1985
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 5 NF 6 5 PF 5 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
1984-Nov.1985 Nov.1985-Nov.1986 Nov.1986-Nov.1987 Nov.1987-Nov.1988
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 6 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 5
1988-89 1989-90 1990-91
Nov.1987-Nov.1988 Nov.1988-Dec.1989 1990
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 NF 7 7 NF 3 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 6 6 NF 2 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 6 6 NF .. .. ..
4 PF 4 3 PF 2 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 PF 4 3 PF 2 2 F
7 NF 7 7 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 NF 6 5 NF 5 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
1991 1992 1993
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
4 4 PF 4 3 PF 2 4
5 5 PF 4 3 PF 3 4
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6 6
4 4 PF 4 3 PF 5 4
.. .. .. 6 6 NF 6 6
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 2
3 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. 1 2
2 2 F 2 2 F .. ..
2 3 F 3 3 PF 3 2
6 5 NF 4 5 PF 5 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 2 F 2 2 F 1 2
5 4 PF 5 5 PF 6 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 4 PF 4 2 PF 5 3
2 3 F 3 3 PF 3 3
2 3 F 2 3 F 1 3
.. .. .. 3 4 PF 3 3
5 4 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
5 5 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
3 3 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. 3 4
2 3 F 2 2 F 1 2
3 3 PF 6 6 NF 7 7
6 5 PF 7 6 NF 7 7
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 4
4 4 PF .. .. .. .. ..
6 5 PF 6 6 NF 7 7
6 5 NF 6 5 PF 6 6
1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
1994 1995
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4
PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 4 4 PF 5 5 PF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 5
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 3 2 F 2 2 F 1
PF 5 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 4 3 PF 4 4 PF 4
PF 3 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 3 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 2 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 2
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1996 1997 1998
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 5 PF
4 PF 5 4 PF 4 4 PF
5 NF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
4 PF 4 4 PF 5 5 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF
4 PF 3 4 PF 2 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
4 PF 2 4 PF 2 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
7 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
1999 2000 2001
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 3 4
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
6 4 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 5 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
2 3 F 2 3 F 1 3
4 4 PF 2 3 F 2 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 5 PF 6 5 NF 6 5
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 4
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
4 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
3 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
5 5 PF 4 4 PF 3 3
2001-02 2003 2004 2005
2002 2003
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 5
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 3
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. 3 2 F 3
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 3 2 F .. .. .. ..
2005 2006 2007
2004 2005 2006
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
3 PF 4 3 PF 3 3 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 NF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. 3 3 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. 3 2 F
2 F 3 2 F 3 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
3 PF 3 2 F 3 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2008 2009 2010
2007 2008 2009
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
5 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
1 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 1 2 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. 5 4 PF
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 6 5 NF
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 2 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
3 2 F 3 2 F 2 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
3 2 F 3 2 F 3 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Freedom in the World Country Ra
1972-2009
Middle East and North
Edition * Jan.-Feb. 1973 Jan.-Feb. 1974
Year(s) covered 1972 1973
PR CL Status PR CL Status
Algeria 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Bahrain 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
Egypt 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Iran 5 6 NF 5 6 NF
Iraq 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Israel 2 3 F 2 3 F
Jordan 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Kuwait 4 4 PF 4 3 PF
Lebanon 2 2 F 2 2 F
Libya 7 6 NF 7 7 NF
Morocco 5 4 PF 5 5 PF
Oman 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Qatar 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
Saudi Arabia 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Syria 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Tunisia 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
United Arab Emirates 7 5 NF 6 5 NF
Yemen .. .. .. .. .. ..
Yemen, N. 4 4 PF 5 4 PF
Yemen, S. 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Notes and Clarifications
The table above lists all country scores for the Middle East and North Africa since the annual Freedom in
Methodological changes have been effected periodically. For discussions of these changes, please consu
For a full explanation of the current methodology, please consult the most recent edition of the survey.
"PR" stands for "Political Rights," "CL" stands for "Civil Liberties," and "Status" is the Freedom Status.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with one representing the highe
“F,” “PF,” and “NF,” respectively, stand for “Free,” “Partly Free,” and “Not Free.”
Until 2003, countries whose combined average ratings for Political Rights and for Civil Liberties fell betw
Beginning with the ratings for 2003, countries whose combined average ratings fall between 3.0 and 5.0 a
Ratings for territories are not included in this table.
Several countries became independent, split into two or more countries, or merged with a neighboring st
* These refer to the various editions of Freedom in the World , except for Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Fe
The first Freedom in the World book-length survey was the 1978 edition.
orld Country Ratings by Region
1972-2009
East and North Africa
Jan.-Feb. 1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Jan.-Feb. 1977
1974 1975 1976
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6
4 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 5 4
5 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 6 5
2 2 F 4 4 PF 4 4
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 5 5
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 6
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 5 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 4 PF 6 5 NF 6 5
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
a since the annual Freedom in the World survey was first compiled for the year 1972.
f these changes, please consult the methodology essays for various editions of the survey.
ecent edition of the survey.
Status" is the Freedom Status.
ith one representing the highest degree of Freedom and seven the lowest.
nd for Civil Liberties fell between 1.0 and 2.5 were designated "Free"; between 3.0 and 5.5 “Partly Free," and between 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
ngs fall between 3.0 and 5.0 are "Partly Free," and those between 5.5 and 7.0 are "Not Free."
merged with a neighboring state. Scores for these countries are given only for the period of their existence as independent states.
an.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Feb. 1977, which are from the bimonthly journal Freedom at Issue.
.-Feb. 1977 1978 1979 1980
1977 1978
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF 5
PF 5 4 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5
NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 4
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 PF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
1980 1981 1982
1979 1980 Jan.1981-Aug. 1982
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
4 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 6 6 NF
7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
4 PF 6 4 PF 4 4 PF
4 PF 4 4 PF 5 4 PF
6 NF 6 7 NF 6 6 NF
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 7 NF
6 PF 5 7 NF 6 7 NF
5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86
Aug.1982-Nov.1983 Nov.1983-Nov.1984 Nov.1984-Nov.1985
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 5 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
6 6 NF 5 6 PF 5 6
6 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
6 6 NF 5 5 PF 5 5
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5 5
6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
1984-Nov.1985 Nov.1985-Nov.1986 Nov.1986-Nov.1987 Nov.1987-Nov.1988
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 5
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6
PF 5 4 PF 6 5 PF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 7
1988-89 1989-90 1990-91
Nov.1987-Nov.1988 Nov.1988-Dec.1989 1990
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
6 NF 6 4 PF 4 4 PF
5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
5 NF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 6 4 PF 7 7 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 PF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
4 PF 5 3 PF 5 4 PF
5 PF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. 6 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF .. .. ..
7 NF 7 7 NF .. .. ..
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
1991 1992 1993
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
4 4 PF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 6
5 5 PF 5 6 PF 6 6
6 5 NF 6 6 NF 6 7
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 2 F 2 2 F 1 3
4 4 PF 3 3 PF 4 4
6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5 5
6 4 PF 5 4 PF 6 5
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5
6 6 NF 6 5 PF 6 6
7 5 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 5 PF 7 5
6 5 PF 6 4 PF 4 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
1994 1995
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 7 7 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 5 6 NF 5 6 NF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1996 1997 1998
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
7 NF 6 7 NF 6 6 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 NF 6 5 PF 6 5 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 5 6 NF 5 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
1999 2000 2001
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 6
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
1 2 F 1 3 F 1 3
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 5 5
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5
6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
5 6 NF 5 6 NF 6 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2001-02 2003 2004 2005
2002 2003
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 5 NF 7
F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1
PF 6 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 6 5 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2005 2006 2007
2004 2005 2006
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 6 NF
3 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF
5 NF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2008 2009 2010
2007 2008 2009
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6 5 NF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 5 6 NF
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
5 4 PF 5 5 PF 6 5 NF
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 3 PF
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6 5 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Freedom in the World Country Ra
1972-2009
Sub-Saharan Afric
Edition * Jan.-Feb. 1973 Jan.-Feb. 1974
Year(s) covered 1972 1973
PR CL Status PR CL Status
Angola .. .. .. .. .. ..
Benin 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
Botswana 3 4 PF 2 3 F
Burkina Faso 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
Burundi 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Cameroon 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
Cape Verde .. .. .. .. .. ..
Central African Republic 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Chad 6 7 NF 6 7 NF
Comoros .. .. .. .. .. ..
Congo (Brazzaville) 7 7 NF 5 6 PF
Congo (Kinshasa) 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Cote d'Ivoire 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Djibouti .. .. .. .. .. ..
Equatorial Guinea 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Eritrea .. .. .. .. .. ..
Ethiopia 5 6 NF 5 6 PF
Gabon 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Gambia, The 2 2 F 2 2 F
Ghana 6 6 NF 7 6 NF
Guinea 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Guinea-Bissau .. .. .. .. .. ..
Kenya 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
Lesotho 7 4 NF 5 3 PF
Liberia 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
Madagascar 5 3 PF 5 4 PF
Malawi 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Mali 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Mauritania 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Mauritius 3 2 F 3 2 F
Mozambique .. .. .. .. .. ..
Namibia 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
Niger 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Nigeria 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
Rwanda 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
Sao Tome & Principe .. .. .. .. .. ..
Senegal 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Seychelles .. .. .. .. .. ..
Sierra Leone 4 5 PF 6 5 PF
Somalia 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
South Africa 2(5) 3(6) F (NF) 4 5 PF
Sudan 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Swaziland 4 2 PF 6 4 PF
Tanzania 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
Togo 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
Uganda 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
Zambia 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
Zimbabwe 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
Notes and Clarifications
The table above lists all country scores for Sub-Saharan Africa since the annual Freedom in the World su
Methodological changes have been effected periodically. For discussions of these changes, please consu
For a full explanation of the current methodology, please consult the most recent edition of the survey.
"PR" stands for "Political Rights," "CL" stands for "Civil Liberties," and "Status" is the Freedom Status.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with one representing the highe
“F,” “PF,” and “NF,” respectively, stand for “Free,” “Partly Free,” and “Not Free.”
Until 2003, countries whose combined average ratings for Political Rights and for Civil Liberties fell betw
Beginning with the ratings for 2003, countries whose combined average ratings fall between 3.0 and 5.0 a
Ratings for territories are not included in this table.
Several countries became independent, split into two or more countries, or merged with a neighboring st
* These refer to the various editions of Freedom in the World , except for Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Fe
The first Freedom in the World book-length survey was the 1978 edition.
For 1972, South Africa was rated as “White” (2,3 Free) and “Black” (5,6 Not Free).
The former Zaire is listed under Congo (Kinshasa).
orld Country Ratings by Region
1972-2009
b-Saharan Africa
Jan.-Feb. 1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Jan.-Feb. 1977
1974 1975 1976
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
.. .. .. 6 6 NF 6 6
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 5 5
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 7 5
.. .. .. 5 5 PF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
.. .. .. 5 2 PF 5 3
5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5 6
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 6
6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 6 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 5 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 4 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
6 3 PF 6 4 PF 6 4
5 4 PF 5 5 PF 6 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
3 2 F 3 2 F 3 2
.. .. .. 6 6 NF 7 7
6 5 NF .. .. .. .. ..
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 4 PF 6 5 PF 6 4
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5
.. .. .. 5 5 PF 5 5
6 5 NF 6 4 PF 6 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. 1 2
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 7
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 4 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
nual Freedom in the World survey was first compiled for the year 1972.
f these changes, please consult the methodology essays for various editions of the survey.
ecent edition of the survey.
Status" is the Freedom Status.
ith one representing the highest degree of Freedom and seven the lowest.
nd for Civil Liberties fell between 1.0 and 2.5 were designated "Free"; between 3.0 and 5.5 “Partly Free," and between 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
ngs fall between 3.0 and 5.0 are "Partly Free," and those between 5.5 and 7.0 are "Not Free."
merged with a neighboring state. Scores for these countries are given only for the period of their existence as independent states.
an.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Feb. 1977, which are from the bimonthly journal Freedom at Issue.
.-Feb. 1977 1978 1979 1980
1977 1978
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 5 4 PF 2 3 F 2
NF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 4 4 PF 5 4 PF 4
PF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
.. 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
NF 6 5 PF 5 4 PF 4
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF 5
PF 5 4 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 6 4 PF 6 5 PF 6
NF 5 5 PF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 6 NF 6 7 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7
F 2 2 F 2 4 PF 2
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 5 4 PF 5 3 PF 2
NF 7 5 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 6 5 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
F 6 3 PF 6 5 PF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5
PF 6 4 PF 6 5 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF 4
5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
1980 1981 1982
1979 1980 Jan.1981-Aug. 1982
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
2 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
3 F 6 5 PF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
5 PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 7 NF
5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5 PF
4 PF 3 4 PF 5 6 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
2 F 2 3 F 3 4 PF
4 PF 2 3 F 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 7 6 NF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 6 6 NF 5 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 5 .. PF
7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
4 PF 3 3 PF 2 2 F
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 7 7 NF
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 4 4 PF 4 5 PF
5 PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF
4 PF 3 4 PF 4 5 PF
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86
Aug.1982-Nov.1983 Nov.1983-Nov.1984 Nov.1984-Nov.1985
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
6 5 PF 7 5 NF 7 6
6 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 6 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
6 6 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
7 5 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
4 4 PF 5 5 PF 6 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
6 7 NF 6 7 NF 7 7
5 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
5 6 NF 5 6 PF 6 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
6 5 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 7 NF 7 5 NF 7 5
7 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5
5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5 6
6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
7 6 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
2 3 F 7 5 NF 7 5
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
4 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 5 PF 4 5 PF 5 5
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5 6
5 5 PF 6 6 NF 6 6
5 5 PF 5 6 PF 5 6
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 5 4
5 6 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 6
1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
1984-Nov.1985 Nov.1985-Nov.1986 Nov.1986-Nov.1987 Nov.1987-Nov.1988
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 5 6 PF 5
NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6
NF 7 5 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
PF 6 5 PF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 6 PF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6
NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6
NF 7 5 NF 6 5 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
NF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
PF 5 6 PF 5 6 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 6
PF 4 6 PF 5 6 PF 6
1988-89 1989-90 1990-91
Nov.1987-Nov.1988 Nov.1988-Dec.1989 1990
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 6 4 PF
3 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF
7 NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 6 5 PF 6 4 PF
6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 NF 6 5 NF 4 4 PF
3 PF 2 2 F 2 2 F
6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 6 5 NF
7 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 PF 6 5 NF 7 7 NF
5 PF 5 4 PF 4 4 PF
7 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
7 NF 6 7 NF 6 6 NF
.. .. 4 3 PF 2 3 F
6 NF 7 6 NF 6 5 NF
5 PF 6 5 PF 5 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
7 NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF
4 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 PF 6 5 PF 5 4 PF
5 PF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
6 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
5 PF 6 4 PF 6 5 PF
5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5 PF
5 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
1991 1992 1993
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 4 PF 6 6 NF 7 7
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
1 2 F 1 2 F 2 3
6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5 4
7 6 NF 6 5 PF 7 7
6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
2 3 F 1 2 F 1 2
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 3 4
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5
4 3 PF 4 2 PF 4 4
6 4 PF 3 3 PF 4 4
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 7 6
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7 7
.. .. .. .. .. .. 6 5
6 5 PF 6 4 PF 6 5
4 3 PF 4 4 PF 5 4
2 2 F 1 2 F 2 2
6 6 NF 5 5 PF 5 4
6 5 NF 6 5 PF 6 5
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
6 6 NF 4 5 PF 5 6
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 3 4
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 2 4
7 6 NF 6 7 NF 6 5
6 4 PF 2 3 F 2 3
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
1 2 F 2 2 F 1 2
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 5
2 3 F 2 2 F 2 3
6 5 PF 5 4 PF 3 4
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 7 5
6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
2 3 F 2 3 F 1 2
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 5
6 6 NF 6 4 PF 3 4
6 5 PF 7 6 NF 7 6
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 5 PF 6 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 7 5
6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
2 3 F 2 3 F 3 4
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5
1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
1994 1995
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 7 7 NF 6 6 NF 6
F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2
F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 7 5 NF 7
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 5 6 NF 5
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 4 PF 6
NF 6 5 NF 4 5 PF 4
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
F 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 5 4 PF 4 4 PF 3
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
NF 6 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2
NF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 2 4 PF 2 3 F 2
NF 7 7 NF 6 6 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 3 5 PF 3 4 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 3 5 PF 3 5 PF 7
NF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF 7
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4
PF 3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 4
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
PF 2 3 F 1 2 F 1
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 6 6 NF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
NF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF 4
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 5
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1996 1997 1998
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 6 NF
5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
5 PF 3 5 PF 3 4 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 4 NF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
4 PF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
5 NF 6 4 NF 6 4 NF
6 NF 5 6 NF 5 6 NF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
5 PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 5 NF
4 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
6 NF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF
4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
2 F 3 3 F 3 3 F
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 6 4 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
5 PF 7 6 NF 3 5 PF
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 4 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
1999 2000 2001
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
2 3 F 2 2 F 3 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 5 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4
6 5 NF 6 4 PF 5 4
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6
6 4 PF 6 5 PF 5 4
4 6 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 6 6
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 6
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 5 5
3 3 PF 2 3 F 2 3
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
3 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
4 5 PF 5 6 PF 6 5
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3
3 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 5 5
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
5 5 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
4 3 PF 4 4 PF 4 5
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
4 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
3 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
7 7 NF 6 7 NF 6 7
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5
5 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 5
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4
6 5 PF 6 5 PF 6 6
2001-02 2003 2004 2005
2002 2003
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
F 3 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 5
NF 6 5 NF 5 5 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1
PF 5 5 PF 7 5 NF 6
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 4
PF 6 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6
PF 6 6 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 4 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5
PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2
NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 4 5 PF 6 4 PF 4
NF 4 4 PF 3 3 PF 3
PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 5
PF 3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3
PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF 4
F 2 3 F 2 2 F 2
PF 5 5 PF 6 5 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3
PF 4 5 PF 4 4 PF 4
NF 7 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
F 1 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3
PF 4 4 PF 4 3 PF 4
NF 6 7 NF 6 7 NF 6
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7
NF 6 5 NF 7 5 NF 7
PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4
PF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6
PF 6 4 PF 5 4 PF 5
PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4
NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF 7
2005 2006 2007
2004 2005 2006
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
4 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF
5 PF 3 5 PF 4 5 PF
6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
5 NF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 6 NF
4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
4 PF 5 5 PF 6 5 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 5 6 NF
6 NF 6 6 NF 7 6 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
4 PF 6 4 PF 6 4 PF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
4 PF 3 4 PF 4 4 PF
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3 PF
4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
2 F 2 2 F 2 3 F
5 NF 6 4 PF 5 4 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 2 F
4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
3 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
7 NF 6 7 NF 7 7 NF
2 F 1 2 F 2 2 F
7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
2008 2009 2010
2007 2008 2009
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 2 F 2 2 F 3 2 F
5 3 PF 5 3 PF 5 3 PF
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF
6 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 6 NF
4 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 6 NF 6 6 NF 6 6 NF
7 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
7 6 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 7 7 NF
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF
6 4 PF 6 4 PF 6 5 NF
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 5 PF
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
6 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 6 NF
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4 PF
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 4 PF
2 3 F 2 3 F 3 3 PF
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 6 4 PF
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4 PF
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3 F
4 4 PF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 4 3 PF
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
3 4 PF 3 4 PF 5 4 PF
4 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
6 5 NF 6 5 NF 6 5 NF
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 3 F 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
7 7 NF 7 7 NF 7 7 NF
7 5 NF 7 5 NF 7 5 NF
4 3 PF 4 3 PF 4 3 PF
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 4 PF
5 4 PF 5 4 PF 5 4 PF
3 4 PF 3 3 PF 3 4 PF
7 6 NF 7 6 NF 6 6 NF
Freedom in the World Country R
1972-2009
Western Europe
Edition * Jan.-Feb. 1973 Jan.-Feb. 1974
Year(s) covered 1972 1973
PR CL Status PR CL Status
Andorra 4 3 PF 4 4 PF
Austria 1 1 F 1 1 F
Belgium 1 1 F 1 1 F
Cyprus 2 3 F 2 3 F
Denmark 1 1 F 1 1 F
Finland 2 2 F 2 2 F
France 1 2 F 1 2 F
Germany .. .. .. .. .. ..
Germany, W. 1 1 F 1 1 F
Greece 6 6 NF 7 5 NF
Iceland 1 1 F 1 1 F
Ireland 1 2 F 1 2 F
Italy 1 2 F 1 2 F
Liechtenstein 4 2 PF 4 2 PF
Luxembourg 2 1 F 2 1 F
Malta 1 2 F 1 1 F
Monaco 4 2 PF 4 2 PF
Netherlands 1 1 F 1 1 F
Norway 1 1 F 1 1 F
Portugal 5 6 NF 5 6 NF
San Marino 2 2 F 2 2 F
Spain 5 6 NF 5 6 NF
Sweden 1 1 F 1 1 F
Switzerland 1 1 F 1 1 F
Turkey 3 4 PF 2 4 PF
United Kingdom 1 1 F 1 1 F
Notes and Clarifications
The table above lists all country scores for Western Europe since the annual Freedom in the World surv
Methodological changes have been effected periodically. For discussions of these changes, please consu
For a full explanation of the current methodology, please consult the most recent edition of the survey.
"PR" stands for "Political Rights," "CL" stands for "Civil Liberties," and "Status" is the Freedom Status.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with one representing the high
“F,” “PF,” and “NF,” respectively, stand for “Free,” “Partly Free,” and “Not Free.”
Until 2003, countries whose combined average ratings for Political Rights and for Civil Liberties fell be
Beginning with the ratings for 2003, countries whose combined average ratings fall between 3.0 and 5.0
Ratings for territories are not included in this table.
Several countries became independent, split into two or more countries, or merged with a neighboring s
* These refer to the various editions of Freedom in the World , except for Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-F
The first Freedom in the World book-length survey was the 1978 edition.
orld Country Ratings by Region
1972-2009
Western Europe
Jan.-Feb. 1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Jan.-Feb. 1977
1974 1975 1976
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 4 4
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
4 4 PF 4 4 PF 3 4
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 2 1
4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 2
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2
4 2 PF 4 2 PF 4 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
5 3 PF 5 3 PF 2 2
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
5 5 PF 5 5 PF 5 3
1 1 F 2 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 3 F 2 3 F 2 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
al Freedom in the World survey was first compiled for the year 1972.
of these changes, please consult the methodology essays for various editions of the survey.
recent edition of the survey.
Status" is the Freedom Status.
with one representing the highest degree of Freedom and seven the lowest.
and for Civil Liberties fell between 1.0 and 2.5 were designated "Free"; between 3.0 and 5.5 “Partly Free," and between 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
tings fall between 3.0 and 5.0 are "Partly Free," and those between 5.5 and 7.0 are "Not Free."
merged with a neighboring state. Scores for these countries are given only for the period of their existence as independent states.
Jan.-Feb. 1973 through Jan.-Feb. 1977, which are from the bimonthly journal Freedom at Issue.
n.-Feb. 1977 1978 1979 1980
1977 1978
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
PF .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
PF .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PF 2 3 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 3 F 2 3 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
n 5.5 and 7.0 “Not Free.”
1980 1981 1982
1979 1980 Jan.1981-Aug. 1982
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 2 2 F 2 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 F 2 3 F 2 4 PF
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 2 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 2 3 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 F 5 5 PF 4 5 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1983-84 1984-85 1985-86
Aug.1982-Nov.1983 Nov.1983-Nov.1984 Nov.1984-Nov.1985
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 2 F 2 2 F 2 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 2 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 1 F 1 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 2 4
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
4 5 PF 3 5 PF 3 5
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89
.1984-Nov.1985 Nov.1985-Nov.1986 Nov.1986-Nov.1987 Nov.1987-Nov.1988
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 2 2 F 2 2 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 2 4 PF 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 3 4 PF 2 4 PF 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
1988-89 1989-90 1990-91
Nov.1987-Nov.1988 Nov.1988-Dec.1989 1990
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. 1 2 F
2 F 1 1 F .. .. ..
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
4 PF 3 3 PF 2 4 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 2 F
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94
1991 1992 1993
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
.. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 2 F 1 3
.. .. .. 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
.. .. .. 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 4 PF 2 4 PF 4 4
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97
1994 1995
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 3 F 1 3 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 5 5 PF 5 5 PF 4
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
1996 1997 1998
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
3 F 1 3 F 1 3 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5 PF
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
1999 2000 2001
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 3 F 1 3 F 1 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
4 5 PF 4 5 PF 4 5
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
2001-02 2003 2004 2005
2002 2003
Status PR CL Status PR CL Status PR
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
F 1 2 F 1 2 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 2 1 F 2 1 F 2
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
PF 3 4 PF 3 4 PF 3
F 1 1 F 1 1 F 1
2005 2006 2007
2004 2005 2006
CL Status PR CL Status PR CL Status
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2 F 1 2 F 1 2 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 2 1 F 2 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3 PF
1 F 1 1 F 1 1 F
2008 2009 2010
2007 2008 2009
PR CL Status PR CL Status PR CL
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
1 2 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 2 F 1 2
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2 1 F 2 1 F 2 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
3 3 PF 3 3 PF 3 3
1 1 F 1 1 F 1 1
2010
Status
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
..
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
PF
F