United States
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
83 / 100
Free
Internet Freedom
76 / 100
Free
The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. However, in recent years its democratic institutions have suffered erosion.
Research & Recommendations
United States
Free
83
100
| PR Political Rights | 33 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 50 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
83
100
Free
Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale.
See the methodology.
Overview
The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. However, in recent years its democratic institutions have suffered erosion, as reflected in rising political polarization and extremism, partisan pressure on the electoral process, mistreatment and dysfunction in the criminal justice and immigration systems, and growing disparities in wealth, economic opportunity, and political influence.
Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations
Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.
Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.
Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.
The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.
Protect free and fair elections in 2024.
At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
United States
Free
76
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 21 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 29 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 26 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
76
100
Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the research methodology and report acknowledgements.
Political Overview
The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. However, in recent years its democratic institutions have suffered erosion, as reflected in rising political polarization and extremism, partisan pressure on the electoral process, mistreatment and dysfunction in the criminal justice and immigration systems, and growing disparities in wealth, economic opportunity, and political influence.
Freedom on the Net 2024 Policy Recommendations
Promote freedom of expression and access to information
Freedom of expression online is increasingly under attack as governments shut off internet connectivity, block social media platforms, or restrict access to websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards for digital communications and access to information.
Defend information integrity
The potential consequences of false, misleading, and incendiary content are especially grave during election periods, underscoring the need to protect information integrity. Efforts to address the problem should start well before campaigning begins and continue long after the last vote is cast.
Combat disproportionate government surveillance
Governments worldwide have passed disproportionate surveillance laws and can access a booming commercial market for surveillance tools, giving them the capacity to monitor the private communications of individuals inside and beyond their borders in violation of international human rights standards.
Exiles and diasporas living in the United States face serious threats from abroad. Potential targets of transnational repression in the US include people who support human rights and democracy in their former homelands, and those who advocate for the well-being of friends and family they left behind.
Policy Recommendations: Transnational Repression
Raising awareness about the threat of transnational repression.
Like-minded governments and international organizations should work together to highlight the threat of transnational repression and establish international norms for addressing it.
Limiting the ability of perpetrators to commit transnational repression.
This includes agreeing on a common definition of transnational repression, and prohibiting the use of Interpol notices on their own to deny immigration or asylum benefits or conduct arrests.
Bringing accountability for acts of transnational repression.
Among other tactics, governments should deploy a robust strategy for targeted sanctions against perpetrators of transnational repression.
Election Watch for the Digital Age equips technology companies, civil society organizations, and policymakers with a data-driven resource for evaluating the human rights impact of internet platforms on a country’s electoral process.
Our Election Vulnerability Index consists of key election-related indicators regarding a country’s political rights and internet freedom. Derived from our annual Freedom in the World and Freedom on the Net reports, the data and accompanying analysis allows users to identify specific areas of concern ahead of a country’s election, including online influence operations, internet shutdowns, or intercommunal tensions fanned by social media.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Global Freedom Score
83
/ 100
Free
Internet Freedom Score
76
/ 100
Free
Population: 333,300,000
Internet Facts
Status
Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
No
Pro-government Commentators
No
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
November 5, 2024
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
97.10%
Election Year
2024
Vulnerability Index
78
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Host Country
Key Origin States
China, Egypt, Iran, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia
Best Practices
High level of awareness among officials; Use of targeted sanctions against perpetrators
More on US Democracy
US: International Context for Prosecuting Former Presidents
Legal cases against former heads of state are commonplace in healthy democracies. The United States, with its strong rule-of-law tradition and independent judicial institutions, is entirely capable of handling this challenge and affirming that former presidents are not above the law.
Principles for Safeguarding US Democracy
The United States has a unique capacity and a moral obligation to cultivate alliances with free nations and lend support to democracy advocates in authoritarian or transitional settings.
Reimagining American Democracy
Join Freedom House, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the George W. Bush Institute, and Issue One for conversations that are forward-thinking and dedicated to one of the most important issues of our time. The program features journalist-led conversations with the thinkers, activists, policymakers, and organizations envisioning what a more vibrant and inclusive democracy in America could look like - and what it will take to get there.
