Top 10 Countries with Highest Freedom Scores 2022: Finland, Norway, and Sweden Remain Champions

Freedom House has released its latest scores on global freedom. At least 10 countries achieved the highest scores.

Finland topped the list with a perfect score of 100 points in 2022, maintaining its top position since at least 2017. Freedom House cites Finland's parliamentary system, featuring free and fair elections, strong multi-party competition, and minimal corruption. Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly are highly respected. However, Freedom House notes that while women and ethnic minorities enjoy equal rights, harassment, hate speech, and discrimination against minority groups do occur.

Norway and Sweden also achieved perfect scores of 100 points, maintaining their top rankings since 2017. Freedom House describes Norway as one of the world's strongest democracies, with respected civil liberties, an independent media, and active civil society actors holding the government accountable. However, discrimination against Roma and other marginalized groups persists.

Sweden, despite being a parliamentary monarchy, guarantees free and fair elections and a strong multi-party system. Freedom House highlights the guaranteed civil liberties and political rights, along with the rule of law.

New Zealand ranked fourth with 99 points, followed by Canada with 98 points. The remaining rankings are shown in the chart and points below.

What about Indonesia's position?

Indonesia received a score of 58 out of 100 in 2022, a decrease from 59 points in 2021.

Since the fall of the Soeharto regime in 1998, Indonesia has made considerable progress in democratization. Freedom House acknowledges improvements in political pluralism and media freedom. However, Freedom House also notes significant challenges, including systemic corruption, discrimination and violence against minority groups, the conflict in Papua, and the politicized use of defamation and blasphemy laws.

The report's methodology largely draws from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. These standards apply to all countries and territories, regardless of geographic location, ethnic or religious composition, or level of economic development.

Freedom House's analysis suggests that freedom for all is best achieved in liberal democracies. The assessment focuses on the real-world rights and freedoms enjoyed by individuals, not government performance. Political rights and civil liberties can be influenced by both state and non-state actors, including rebels and other armed groups.

The top 10 countries with the highest freedom scores in 2022 are:

1. Finland - 100 points
2. Norway - 100 points
3. Sweden - 100 points
4. New Zealand - 99 points
5. Canada - 98 points
6. Denmark - 97 points
7. Ireland - 97 points
8. Luxembourg - 97 points
9. Netherlands - 97 points
10. San Marino - 97 points