FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2023 March 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS Key findings...................................................................................................... 1 Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy......................................... 2 Executive Summary.................................................................................................................... Direct attacks on democracy and the human cost of authoritarian rule......... A possible turning point for global freedom.................................................................. Free expression: A leading indicator of democratic decline................................... Lessons from 50 years of Freedom in the World........................................................ 2 3 8 13 16 Freedom in the World Methodology.............................................................. 21 Freedom in the World 2023 Map.................................................................... 22 Regional Trends............................................................................................... 24 Countries in the Spotlight............................................................................... 31 Policy Recommendations ............................................................................... 32 This report was made possible by the generous support of Google, Inc., The Hurford Foundation, Jyllands-Posten Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc., the Merrill Family Foundation, and National Endowment for Democracy. The Freedom in the World Junior Fellowship program gives young researchers critical work experience in the democracy and human rights field. The ninemonth program employs Junior Fellows in core research positions to contribute to this report, and equips them with a range of marketable skills that can propel them on to successful careers. The Freedom in the World Junior Fellowship program is generously underwritten by the Merrill Family Foundation, with support from the Panter Foundation. The Junior Fellows contributing to Freedom in the World 2023 include: Dasha M., Junior Fellow for Europe and Eurasia Arya Patel, Junior Fellow for sub-Saharan Africa Eilidh Stalker, Junior Fellow for the Americas Freedom House is solely responsible for the report’s content. Cathryn Grothe was also instrumental in the writing of this booklet. Elisha Aaron, David Meijer, Shannon O’Toole, Tyler Roylance, and Lora Uhlig edited the report. ON THE COVER This booklet is a summary of findings for the 2023 edition of Freedom in the World. The complete analysis including narrative reports on all countries and territories can be found on our website at www.freedomhouse.org. Iranian people in Izmir protest the death of Jina Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police in Iran. (İdil Toffolo / Alamy)