The 2025 report from the Freedom House think-tank has highlighted a continued, worldwide decline in freedom, with authoritarian regimes on the rise and tightening their grip.
According to the latest report from the Washington-based NGO published this Wednesday, the African continent experienced its tenth consecutive year of declining freedom in 2024, influenced by armed conflicts, military coups, and electoral irregularities.
Fourteen countries saw score declines, while only five recorded improvements.
Niger experienced the sharpest decline, dropping 18 points following a military coup that ousted the elected government.
Elections in Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe were marred by political violence and administrative irregularities, undermining public trust in democratic processes.
Conversely, Liberia stood out with the most significant improvement, gaining four points due to successful elections and judicial rulings that protected LGBT+ rights.
Despite these positive developments, only seven percent of Africa's population resides in "Free" countries, while half live in "Not Free" nations.
France and Europe
The report states that France maintains a "Free" status with a global freedom score of 89 out of 100, as the country has institutional democratic processes and a generally strong record on protecting civil liberties and political rights.
However, responses to recent terrorist attacks and the Covid-19 pandemic have curtailed constitutional protections in France and empowered law enforcement to infringe upon personal freedoms.
Measures such as states of emergency have also impacted rights to privacy, assembly, and movement.
In the broader European context, the report says the region continues to uphold high standards of political rights and civil liberties, with countries like Finland, Norway, and Sweden consistently achieve near-perfect freedom scores, reflecting robust democratic institutions and respect for individual rights.
However, challenges persist, including the rise of populist movements within the EU and debates over security measures that may impact personal freedoms.
Overall – although certain regions have made strides toward democratic reforms – the global trend indicates a persistent erosion of civil liberties, necessitating vigilant efforts to safeguard and promote freedom worldwide.
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Trump's White House
Freedom House’s latest report raises concerns about democracy in the United State under Donald Trump.
The country’s Global Freedom Score stands at 84 out of 100, reflecting a decline over the past decade.
One major issue is the erosion of checks and balances – particularly after the Supreme Court’s Trump v. United States ruling – which expanded presidential immunity and weakened accountability mechanisms.
Civic freedoms have also been restricted. Federal investigations have targeted nonprofit organisations, while new state laws criminalise protest-related activities.
Additionally, public trust in the judiciary has declined due to partisan appointments and controversial Supreme Court decisions.
Freedom House warns of rising political violence, with far-right groups posing a growing threat. False claims of election fraud continue to undermine democratic norms, exacerbating divisions in the country.
Despite remaining "Free", the NGO maintains that the US faces internal threats to its democratic institutions under Trump's leadership
