Today’s geopolitical landscape is defined by the escalation of violent crises, tense global alliances, and shifting leadership in many of the countries that held elections in 2024. In response to these challenges, many governments have eroded democratic institutions and expanded their authority in a clear show of defiance against traditional liberal principles. These trends raise critically important questions about the interplay between technology, executive aggrandizement, and constraints on the executive.
A comprehensive analysis of eighteen countries by twenty leading economists, scholars, and diplomats in this year’s Freedom and Prosperity Atlas reveals alarming trends—security and privacy infringements, unequal economic growth, and declining productivity. These trends emphasize the pressing need for forward-thinking policies that uphold individual freedoms while addressing key socio-economic issues.
Central to this discussion is the recognition of the enduring relationship between freedom and prosperity. The chapters in this Atlas provide compelling evidence that the preservation and advancement of freedoms are essential drivers of sustained economic growth and societal well-being.
This comprehensive volume serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of contemporary governance. By examining the trajectories of various nations and regions, the 2025 Freedom and Prosperity Atlas illuminates key trends shaping global prosperity and underscores the importance of preserving fundamental freedoms in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.
Within the context of global uncertainty, the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center seeks to explore policies that restore global faith in democracy and enhance social and economic development. Through political, economic, and legal reforms, this collection of essays helps policymakers navigate the multifaceted dynamics of freedom, security, and prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world.
In an era marked by global uncertainty and transformative change, this volume serves as both a warning and a guide. It underscores the urgent need to safeguard freedoms as the foundation of economic and social progress while addressing the challenges of an evolving geopolitical landscape.
By advocating for innovative and principled policy responses, the contributors present a vision for a world where liberty and prosperity are not only preserved but also expanded and self-reinforcing. This book invites leaders, scholars, and citizens alike to embrace the complexities of governance with courage, conviction, and a steadfast commitment to the principles that foster human flourishing.

- The full volume will be made available on platforms such as Apple Books, Kindle, Kobo, Thalia, Smashwords, Vivlio, and Palace Marketplace upon publication.
- We will be releasing country chapters on a rolling basis each week, and available chapters can be found below.
Read online
East Asia & the Pacific
Europe
Latin America & the Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
South & Central Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Explore the data

The Freedom and Prosperity Indexes rank 164 countries around the world according to their levels of freedom and prosperity. Use our award-winning site to explore twenty-nine years of data, compare countries and regions, and examine the sub-indexes and indicators that comprise our indexes.
2024 Atlas: Freedom and Prosperity Around the World
Twenty leading economists and government officials from eighteen countries contributed to this comprehensive volume, which serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of contemporary governance.


The Freedom and Prosperity Center aims to increase the prosperity of the poor and marginalized in developing countries and to explore the nature of the relationship between freedom and prosperity in both developing and developed nations.