US Freedom at Lowest Ever Level, Freedom House Report Finds | Switzerland Ranked Highly

Washington D.C. – The United States’ standing as a bastion of freedom has reached a new low, according to a report released Thursday by the American non-governmental organization Freedom House. The organization’s annual “Freedom in the World 2025” report details a continued global erosion of liberty, with the U.S. Registering its lowest-ever score since the index began in 2002.

While the U.S. Retains its classification as “free,” its score has fallen to 81 out of 100, placing it alongside countries like South Africa and below several European allies, as well as South Korea and Panama. This decline reflects a worrying trend, according to the report, and underscores a broader pattern of democratic backsliding observed worldwide.

Freedom House, which receives funding from the U.S. Government, assesses each country annually based on indicators of democratic governance and civil liberties. The organization attributes the U.S.’s diminished score to a confluence of factors, including legislative dysfunction, an overreach of executive power, increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, and perceived efforts to undermine anti-corruption measures.

A Global Trend of Declining Freedom

The report paints a grim picture of global freedom, noting that 2025 marks the 20th consecutive year of decline in overall freedom worldwide. Only 21% of the global population now lives in countries designated as “free.” This represents a significant shift, with more nations experiencing declines into “not free” status than witnessing democratic improvements over the past two decades.

“Globally, far more countries have retreated into the ‘not free’ category than have made gains in democratization,” stated Cathryn Grothe, an analyst at Freedom House and co-author of the report. “The world is becoming less free, the middle ground is shrinking, while the number of free countries remains relatively stable.”

The situation in the U.S. Is particularly concerning given its historical role as a champion of democratic values. The report specifically cites actions taken by the current administration, which has been in power for over a year, including the shuttering of government agencies and the deployment of armed, masked anti-immigration agents across the country. These actions, according to Freedom House, contribute to a climate of fear and intimidation that stifles dissent and undermines democratic norms.

The three-point decline in the U.S. Score was matched only by Bulgaria, where the 2024 elections were marred by allegations of fraud. This shared decline highlights a vulnerability to democratic processes even in established democracies.

Bright Spots Amidst the Darkness

Despite the overall negative trend, the report does identify some positive developments. Three countries – Bolivia, Malawi, and Fiji – transitioned from “partially free” to “free” status. Bolivia and Malawi achieved this through competitive elections, while Fiji strengthened the rule of law. These examples demonstrate that democratic progress is still possible, even in challenging circumstances.

Finland continues to lead the world in freedom, achieving a perfect score of 100. At the opposite end of the spectrum, South Sudan received a score of 0, reflecting the ongoing conflict and political instability in the country. Switzerland achieved a score of 96, demonstrating a strong commitment to civil liberties and democratic governance.

The findings of the Freedom House report echo concerns raised by other organizations regarding the state of democracy in the United States. Recent analyses, including those from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, have documented a pattern of democratic backsliding in the U.S., characterized by increasing polarization, erosion of trust in institutions, and attempts to restrict voting rights. U.S. Democratic Backsliding in Comparative Perspective highlights this trend, placing it within a broader global context.

The report’s release comes at a critical juncture, as the U.S. Prepares for upcoming elections. The findings serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms. The implications of this decline extend beyond U.S. Borders, potentially impacting the country’s credibility as a global leader and its ability to promote democracy abroad.

The continued erosion of freedom in the U.S. And around the world demands urgent attention and concerted efforts to reverse this troubling trend. The report underscores the need for robust protections of civil liberties, independent judiciaries, and free and fair elections – cornerstones of a healthy and functioning democracy.