At a moment when democratic backsliding continues to be a trend in many countries despite a rise in youth activism, bolstered by the weaponization of artificial intelligence by authoritarian leaders, the Freedom and Prosperity Center is working to strengthen the institutions underpinning free and prosperous societies.
The Center defines freedom through twelve components spanning economic freedom, political freedom, and the rule of law. Together, those components capture whether a society’s institutions protect its citizens’ market access, political rights, and legal recourse. The Center’s research shows that strengthening freedom is the most effective path to broader human well-being.
By providing easy-to-read data resources, in-depth commentary, and high-level convening and exchange, the Center works to shape the debate on the future of foreign assistance and soft power, and advances adherence to democratic norms.
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Freedom and Prosperity Indexes
Research and publications
- Atlas Freedom and Prosperity Around the World (2026 , 2025, 2024) provides evidence-based country deep dives to inform better policymaking.
- Freedom and Prosperity Indexes Report (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023) provides key takeaways following each year’s Indexes release and outlines a path forward.
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Democracy and future for democracy assistance
Research and publications
- Democracy pulse is a monthly country highlight covering the latest developments in democracy and human development. ( -, 2026, 2025, 2024)
- Voices of the Future is and ongoing paper series that highlights graduate student research on key global, regional, and national trends in freedom and prosperity. ( -, 2026, 2025)
- Future for democracy assistance paper series provides an in-depth look at the many complex challenges to democracy around the world and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance. (2025, 2026)
- State of the Parties is a paper series that delivers insights and policy recommendations from leading experts on how to enhance efforts to strengthen democracy in all regions of the world. (2024, 2025)
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Religious Freedom and economic growth
Research and publications
- Issue brief on religious freedom, with case studies of Italy, India, and Nigeria.
- Research on religious freedom, with a case study of Tibet.
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Political, economic, and legal freedoms are the foundation of prosperity. The Freedom and Prosperity Center generates evidence to drive policy reform and advance human well-being, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies.
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