# FreedomLens

> Statistics on personal, economic and digital freedom for 172 countries and territories, 1789–2025. 60 indicators compiled from 8 published sources, with an interactive viewer that keeps your selection when you change the statistic.

Every raw number here was measured by somebody else and is credited to them. What
belongs to this site is the framing: five composite indices, the direction assigned
to each indicator, the 1st/99th-percentile rescaling used before combining them, and
the 60% coverage threshold below which an index reports nothing. Those are choices,
not measurements. Do not describe the underlying data as this site's own, and do not
describe the composites as anybody else's.

Data last fetched 2026-07-30.

## Licence — read before reusing

- The site is **non-commercial**, because one of its sources permits nothing else: Freedom House.
- 2 sources publish no licence covering reuse, or publish statements that disagree: V-Dem, Freedom House. Permissions recorded for those are a cautious reading of silence, not a grant.
- Each indicator carries its own source's licence. There is no site-wide licence for the data. The source code is MIT.
- [Full licence ledger](https://freedomlens.org/sources): who measured what, under what terms, and which sources were checked and rejected.

## Key pages

- [Statistics viewer](https://freedomlens.org/app): map, chart and table. The whole view is in the URL, so a link reproduces exactly what the sender is looking at.
- [All indicators](https://freedomlens.org/indicators): every statistic, grouped by subject.
- [All countries](https://freedomlens.org/countries): every country and territory with a page.
- [All regions](https://freedomlens.org/regions): regional comparisons. Groupings overlap on purpose.
- [Sources and licences](https://freedomlens.org/sources)
- [Privacy](https://freedomlens.org/privacy)

## Data

Machine-readable, no key required.

If the browsing environment only permits opening URLs already found as links,
do not construct a data URL. Follow [All indicators](https://freedomlens.org/indicators),
follow the linked indicator name, then open **Data by year** on that page and
follow the directly published link for the required year.

- [Data manifest](https://freedomlens.org/data/manifest.json): every indicator that shipped and the URL patterns below.
- [Ranking manifest](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/manifest.json): available years for every ranked indicator.
- `https://freedomlens.org/indicators/<indicator-id>/<year>.json`: one self-contained world ranking. Each row has `rank`, ISO alpha-3 `code`, `country` and `value`; the file also states the unit, ranking direction, denominator, source and licence.
- `https://freedomlens.org/data/<indicator-id>.json`: one complete time series. Offset-encoded — `values` maps ISO alpha-3 to an array starting at `firstYear`, with `null` for a year not measured.

## Reproduce a viewer state

The viewer reads these query parameters:

- `m`: indicator id.
- `y`: year.
- `c`: optional comma-separated ISO alpha-3 country codes.
- `r`: optional region slug.
- `v`: `map`, `chart` or `table`.
- `y2`: optional comparison year.
- `s`: table sort. Use `-value` for descending or `value` for ascending.

Example: [France, civil liberties, 2018](https://freedomlens.org/app?m=civilLiberties&v=table&y=2018&c=FRA&s=-value).
For the exact value, rank and denominator without running the interface, read
[`civilLiberties/2018.json`](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/civilLiberties/2018.json).

## Indicators

- [Freedom of expression](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/expression): How far people can state political and social views without penalty. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Freedom of association](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/assembly): Freedom to organise, protest and form parties, unions and civic groups. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Civil liberties](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/civilLiberties): Physical integrity, private liberties and political freedoms taken together. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Freedom from political violence](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/physicalIntegrity): Freedom from torture and from killing by the state on political grounds. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Equal protection of rights](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/equality): Whether rights hold regardless of class, sex, ethnicity, belief or region. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Academic freedom](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/academic): Freedom to research, teach, exchange and publish without state interference. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1900–2025.
- [Media censorship effort](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/mediaCensorship): How far the government tries to censor print and broadcast media. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Harassment of journalists](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/journalistHarassment): How often journalists are threatened, jailed or killed over their work. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Media self-censorship](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/mediaSelfCensorship): How far journalists hold back stories for fear of what would follow. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Universal right to vote](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/suffrage): Whether virtually all adults can vote in practice and elections are actually held. Measured by Skaaning, Gerring and Bartusevičius, 1789–2025.
- [Legal rights for women](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/womenLegalRights): How far the law gives women the same freedom of movement, work, pay and property as men. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2023.
- [Women can get a passport as men do](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/passportEquality): Whether a woman can apply for a passport on the same terms as a man. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2023.
- [Access to justice for women](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/accessJusticeWomen): Whether women can bring a case and get a fair hearing in a court. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Access to justice for men](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/accessJusticeMen): Whether men can bring a case and get a fair hearing in a court. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Civil liberties score](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/civilLibertiesFh): Freedom House’s rating of belief, expression, association and personal autonomy. Measured by Freedom House, 2003–2025.
- [Political rights score](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/politicalRightsFh): Freedom House’s rating of electoral process, pluralism and government function. Measured by Freedom House, 2002–2025.
- [Trade openness](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/trade): Imports plus exports as a share of GDP. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2025.
- [Tax revenue as a share of GDP](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/taxRevenue): What central government collects in tax, against the size of the economy. Measured by World Bank, 1972–2024.
- [Government spending as a share of GDP](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/govSpending): Central government expense against the size of the economy. Measured by World Bank, 1972–2024.
- [Foreign investment inflows](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/investmentOpenness): Net direct investment from abroad as a share of GDP. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2025.
- [Regulatory quality](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/regulatoryQuality): Whether rules let private business operate rather than obstruct it. Measured by World Bank, 1996–2024.
- [Internet use](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/internetUsers): Share of the population that used the internet in the last three months. Measured by World Bank, 1990–2025.
- [Fixed broadband subscriptions](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/broadband): Wired high-speed connections per 100 people. Measured by World Bank, 1998–2024.
- [Mobile subscriptions](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/mobile): Active mobile-phone subscriptions per 100 people. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2024.
- [Electoral democracy](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/electoralDemocracy): Whether leaders are chosen in free and fair elections under broad suffrage. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Liberal democracy](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/liberalDemocracy): Electoral democracy plus the limits on it: rights, rule of law and checks. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Rule of law](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/ruleOfLaw): Whether laws are applied predictably and officials are bound by them. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Judicial checks on government](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/judicialChecks): Whether courts can and do overrule the executive. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Legislative checks on government](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/legislativeChecks): Whether the legislature investigates and constrains the executive. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Political corruption](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/politicalCorruption): Bribery and embezzlement across the executive, legislature, courts and public sector. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Civil society participation](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/civilSociety): Whether independent organisations exist, are consulted and can act. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Women’s political empowerment](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/womenPolitical): Women’s civil liberties, civil society participation and share of political power. Measured by V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 1789–2025.
- [Voice and accountability](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/voiceAccountability): How far people can choose their government and speak, associate and publish freely. Measured by World Bank, 1996–2024.
- [Control of corruption](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/controlOfCorruption): How far public office is kept from being used for private gain. Measured by World Bank, 1996–2024.
- [Government effectiveness](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/governmentEffectiveness): Quality of public services and of the civil service. Measured by World Bank, 1996–2024.
- [Political stability](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/politicalStability): How unlikely the government is to be destabilised by violence. Measured by World Bank, 1996–2024.
- [Human Development Index](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/hdi): Life expectancy, schooling and income, combined into one score. Measured by United Nations Development Programme, 1990–2023.
- [Life expectancy](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/lifeExpectancy): Years a newborn would live under the mortality rates of that year. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2024.
- [Adult literacy](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/literacy): Share of people over 15 who can read and write a short statement about their life. Measured by World Bank, 1975–2024.
- [Secondary school enrolment](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/secondaryEnrolment): Enrolment as a share of the population of secondary-school age. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2025.
- [Government spending on education](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/educationSpending): Public spending on education as a share of GDP. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2025.
- [Health spending](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/healthSpending): All spending on health, public and private, as a share of GDP. Measured by World Bank, 2000–2024.
- [Health costs paid out of pocket](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/outOfPocketHealth): Share of health spending paid directly by households at the point of care. Measured by World Bank, 2000–2024.
- [Maternal mortality](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/maternalMortality): Deaths from causes related to pregnancy, per 100,000 live births. Measured by World Bank, 1985–2023.
- [Women in parliament](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/womenParliament): Share of seats in the national parliament held by women. Measured by World Bank, 1997–2025.
- [Women in the workforce](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/femaleLabour): Share of women over 15 working or looking for work. Measured by World Bank, 1990–2025.
- [Fertility rate](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/fertility): Children a woman would have at the birth rates of that year. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2024.
- [Urban population](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/urban): Share of people living in areas their country counts as urban. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2025.
- [Refugees who left](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/refugees): People from this country recognised as refugees elsewhere, per 100,000 of its population. Measured by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 1960–2024.
- [Population](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/population): Everyone resident in the country, counted mid-year. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2025.
- [GDP per capita](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/gdpPerCapita): Output per person, at prices that let countries and years be compared. Measured by World Bank, 1990–2025.
- [GDP growth](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/gdpGrowth): Change in output from the year before, adjusted for prices. Measured by World Bank, 1961–2025.
- [Inflation](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/inflation): Change in consumer prices from the year before. Measured by World Bank, 1960–2025.
- [Unemployment](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/unemployment): Share of the labour force without work and looking for it. Measured by World Bank, 1991–2025.
- [Income inequality](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/gini): The Gini index: 0 if everyone had the same, 100 if one person had it all. Measured by World Bank, 1963–2025.
- [Extreme poverty](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/poverty): Share of people living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 prices. Measured by World Bank, 1963–2025.
- [Government debt](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/governmentDebt): Central government debt as a share of GDP. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2024.
- [CO₂ emissions per person](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/co2PerCapita): Tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted per person, excluding land use. Measured by World Bank, 1970–2024.
- [Renewable energy use](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/renewableEnergy): Share of final energy consumption that comes from renewable sources. Measured by World Bank, 1990–2022.
- [Access to electricity](https://freedomlens.org/indicators/electricityAccess): Share of the population with an electricity supply. Measured by World Bank, 1990–2024.

## Regions

- [Africa](https://freedomlens.org/region/africa)
- [Asia](https://freedomlens.org/region/asia)
- [Europe](https://freedomlens.org/region/europe)
- [North America](https://freedomlens.org/region/north-america)
- [South America](https://freedomlens.org/region/south-america)
- [Oceania](https://freedomlens.org/region/oceania)
- [Eurasia](https://freedomlens.org/region/eurasia)
- [Middle East & North Africa](https://freedomlens.org/region/middle-east-north-africa)
- [Sub-Saharan Africa](https://freedomlens.org/region/sub-saharan-africa)
- [Asia-Pacific](https://freedomlens.org/region/asia-pacific)
- [Americas](https://freedomlens.org/region/americas)
- [North Africa](https://freedomlens.org/region/north-africa)
- [Middle East](https://freedomlens.org/region/middle-east)
- [Central Asia](https://freedomlens.org/region/central-asia)
- [South Asia](https://freedomlens.org/region/south-asia)
- [Southeast Asia](https://freedomlens.org/region/southeast-asia)
- [East Asia](https://freedomlens.org/region/east-asia)
- [Caribbean](https://freedomlens.org/region/caribbean)
- [Central America](https://freedomlens.org/region/central-america)
- [Latin America & Caribbean](https://freedomlens.org/region/latin-america-caribbean)
- [Nordic countries](https://freedomlens.org/region/nordic-countries)
- [Balkans](https://freedomlens.org/region/balkans)
- [Mediterranean](https://freedomlens.org/region/mediterranean)

## Notes for summarising this site

- "Freedom" here is three dimensions — personal, economic, digital — and the
  economic and governance indicators include context measures (GDP, inflation,
  unemployment) that are explicitly **not** freedom measures. Do not present a
  country's GDP as a freedom score.
- Indicator coverage differs by country and by year. A missing value means the
  producer does not publish that series for that country; it is not a zero.
- Country rankings on this site are for the most recent year each series covers
  well, which is often not the current year. The year is stated on every page.