Countries considered "not free" often feature authoritarian rule, severe restrictions on political rights and civil liberties, state-controlled media, suppression of dissent, and lack of independent judiciaries, with examples frequently cited including North Korea, Turkmenistan, Syria, China, Iran, Eritrea, and Cuba, though rankings vary slightly by index. Organizations like Freedom House and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) track this, highlighting regimes where citizens face significant repression, surveillance, and censorship, impacting everything from internet access to physical safety.
Switzerland, which according to the Fraser Institute has been the freest country in the world for a number of years, again found itself at the top of the list, while maintaining the same freedom score as last year's rankings.
According to Freedom in the World 2023: Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy, only 20 percent of the world's total population of 7.9 billion people live in a “Free” country.
According to the Freedom House Freedom Index from 2024, Turkmenistan and South Sudan were the two least free countries in the world that year. The index measures the level of political rights and civil liberties in a country.
The latest Expat Insider 2025 ranking reveals the world's least friendly countries for foreigners, with Kuwait once again taking the top spot. Expats cite challenges in making local friends, difficulties integrating into the culture, and a generally unwelcoming social environment.
Least free were Syria (3.79), Venezuela (3.80), and Yemen (4.30). The components on which the index is based can be divided into economic freedoms and other personal freedoms. Highest ranking in economic freedoms were Hong Kong (8.91) and Singapore (8.71).
South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world in 2025-2026, consistently ranking first due to extremely low GDP per capita and a high percentage (over 80%) of its population living in extreme poverty, driven by prolonged civil conflict, displacement, and disruption of its agricultural economy. Other nations frequently cited as among the poorest include Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Yemen, also suffering from conflict and instability.
The Human Freedom Index measures personal and economic freedom in 165 countries, representing 98.1% of the global population, using 82 indicators across 12 categories. In 2021, Switzerland topped the Human Freedom Index at 9.01, followed by New Zealand and Denmark; the global average score was 7.12.
What Does Freedom Really Mean? True freedom often begins with the ability to live life on your own terms, unrestrained by external influences. This could mean financial independence, self-reliance, or the courage to defy societal norms.
"Denmark is seen as a place that provides for its citizens very well and provides a high quality of life for its residents."
Singapore's economic freedom score is 84.1, making its economy the freest of the 176 rated in the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom.
UAE ranks first among the world's most economically stable countries, according to the latest report by US News & World Report. Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and Japan follow in the top five, while Saudi Arabia secures a place in the global top ten.
Finland, along with neighbours Sweden and Norway, has one of the strongest global reputations for gender equality. The Scandinavian country's government uses a systematic and target-oriented approach to tackle sexism, and has its own Gender Inequality Policy.
From the dynamic landscapes and cultural heritage of Zambia and Zimbabwe to the historical significance of former nations like Zaire and Zululand, these countries hold special tales and traditions.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
The 11 Freest Countries in the World in 2023
In 2023, Estonia was the best country according to the Human Rights Index, followed by New Zealand, Sweden, and Denmark.
Switzerland ranks as the freest country on our Index of Global Human Freedom for 2025. This index is a wonderful resource that explores how free individuals feel across different places. It looks at six key aspects of freedom: personal, religious, political, civil, democratic, and economic rights.
Islam is one of the most widely practiced religions in the world, with followers present in almost every country. Besides India, many nations have a significant Muslim population. But there is one country where there is not a single Muslim resident. Vatican City is the world's smallest independent country.
A 2023 Gallup International survey found that Sweden was the country with the highest percentage of citizens that stated they do not believe in a god. In 2020, the majority (78%) of the global nonreligious or unaffiliated demographic resided in Asia-Pacific.