The latest global analysis reveals a growing freedom of expression crisis, with over half the world’s population—4.2 billion people in 39 countries—now living under severe restrictions. In 2023, India’s downgrade to “Crisis” significantly contributed to this increase. Despite some positive shifts in countries like Brazil and Fiji, declines outnumber improvements. Key trends highlight worsening conditions in regions like Burkina Faso and Senegal, while gains remain limited to smaller populations. Regional variations persist, with parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe showing slight improvements, while global expression scores stagnate. In Europe and Central Asia, nearly half live in Open countries, while a third face Crisis conditions, with scores unchanged over the past year. Over the last decade, 51% of countries saw declines, with Kyrgyzstan and Poland having the largest drops.The findings underscore an urgent need for robust measures to protect freedom of expression and address increasing repression worldwide. Explore regional insights and trends in the full analysis.
Source: Global Expression Report