Syria recorded one of the largest annual improvements in the latest Freedom House “Freedom in the World” index, gaining five points in 2025, according to the organization’s rankings. The increase places Syria alongside countries such as Bolivia and Sri Lanka in terms of year-over-year gains. The index measures political rights and civil liberties on a 100-point scale and has tracked global trends since 1973.
The improvement comes during what Freedom House described as a continued global downturn. The report found 54 countries experienced declines in political rights and civil liberties, while only 35 showed improvement. Overall, the organization said global freedom has declined for the twentieth consecutive year. Freedom House CEO Jamie Fly said the past two decades have marked “a dark period for global freedom,” citing armed conflict, coups and repression as key drivers.
Government Highlights Progress in Freedoms
Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa welcomed the ranking, describing it as evidence of progress in governance and civil liberties. In a statement posted on X, he pointed to gains in freedom of expression and media activity. Mustafa said the report reflects “the absence of journalist arrests” and the emergence of independent and private media outlets. He also cited broader personal freedoms as contributing factors.
He emphasized that improvements came despite a wider global decline, framing Syria’s progress as part of a shifting domestic landscape. According to the minister, freedom of expression remains central to political legitimacy, particularly during transitional periods. He added the government plans to reinforce these gains through regulatory frameworks and legal measures designed to prevent misuse while protecting rights.
How Freedom House Measures Change
Freedom House evaluates countries using a detailed scoring system, assigning points across 25 indicators covering political rights and civil liberties. Each indicator receives a score from zero to four, with higher scores indicating greater levels of freedom. Political rights include electoral processes, political participation and the functioning of government. Civil liberties cover areas such as freedom of expression, rule of law and personal autonomy.
The combined score determines whether a country is classified as Free, Partly Free or Not Free. The organization updates scores based on measurable developments, such as legal reforms or restrictions on rights. The report noted that only 21% of the global population currently lives in countries classified as “Free,” compared with 46% two decades ago.
Broader Context of Global Trends
While Syria’s score improved, the broader report highlighted widespread declines in global democratic conditions. Countries such as Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania and Burkina Faso recorded some of the steepest drops in scores. Among nations classified as Free, the US saw the largest decline, followed by Bulgaria and Italy.
Freedom House said media freedom, personal expression and due process faced the most pressure worldwide. The organization attributed the trend to ongoing conflicts, political instability and actions by governments that weaken institutional safeguards.
Uncertain Path as Reforms Continue
Although Syrian officials pointed to recent gains, questions remain about how changes will translate into long-term conditions on the ground. The Freedom House classification system allows for variation within categories, meaning countries with similar labels may differ significantly in practice.
Mustafa acknowledged some academic criticism surrounds the index’s methodology but said it remains widely used by policymakers and researchers. As Syria moves through a transitional phase, the latest ranking highlights both incremental progress and the broader challenges shaping global freedom trends.
