Freedom and Prosperity library

A complete archive of every event, publication, and research product delivered by the Freedom and Prosperity Center.

Annual reports

The Path to Prosperity The 2024 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

In this “year of election,” freedom continues to decline globally. Political rights, judicial independence, and checks and balances are eroding. Prosperity growth has slowed, particularly in developing countries. The data underscores a strong link between freedom and prosperity, highlighting the need for data-driven policy reforms.

Read the Report

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. 

Read the Book

Publications

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 4, 2025

Demographic shifts in Spain call for reinvigorated reforms

By Toni Roldán Monés

While Spain continues to perform well in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, sustaining this performance will involve overhauling the education system, pursuing political reforms to enhance institutional strength, and preserving fiscal sustainability amidst changing demographics.

Economy & Business Education

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 30, 2025

Peru’s economy needs to unlock its green potential

By Liliana Rojas-Suarez

Peru’s green transition offers a path to prosperity through renewable energy, critical minerals, and job creation. Prioritizing infrastructure, labor market reforms, and human capital development can drive growth. Political consensus around this vision is key to overcoming institutional weaknesses and positioning Peru as a global leader in the green economy.

Economy & Business Energy Transitions

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 28, 2025

After the Monsoon Revolution, Bangladesh’s economy and government need major reforms

By Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak

In 2024, Bangladesh’s student-led “Monsoon Revolution” ousted an entrenched autocratic regime, marking a historic shift. Yet, with deep systemic corruption and political resistance, the road to stability remains uncertain.

Bangladesh Corruption
georgia

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 23, 2025

Georgia protests highlight urgent need for government reforms

By Tinatin Khidasheli

Recent democratic regression in Georgia undermines the rights of citizens and threatens long-term prosperity. To restore faith in Georgian democracy and build on past economic progress, the government must address challenges related to the judiciary, Russian influence, and social inequalities.

Europe & Eurasia Freedom and Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 23, 2025

On prosperity, Taiwan ranks high—but its future hinges on Chinese power plays

By Shelley Rigger

Taiwan’s democracy has thrived for over three decades, defined by vibrant elections and a deep pride in its liberal institutions. Despite Beijing's persistent threats of a takeover, Taiwan’s global economic significance acts as a buffer against conflict. Yet, the country's future remains uncertain as it must balance its economic and political ideals with escalating geopolitical tensions.

Democratic Transitions East Asia

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 23, 2025

Greece’s population must be given reason to trust its government

By Elias Papaioannou

As Greece celebrates fifty years since the restoration of democracy, its government must prioritize rebuilding public trust in politics, creating expansive economic opportunity, protecting pristine landscapes, and investing in health and education.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 9, 2025

Morocco’s government must foster greater economic competition

By Rabah Arezki

While Morocco has made notable strides to enhance freedom and prosperity in the past three decades, the government must address pervasive corruption and encourage greater economic competition to build on recent progress.

Civil Society Corruption

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 8, 2025

Venezuela’s 2024 stolen election compounds challenges to stability and democratic renewal

By Sary Levy-Carciente

The 2024 Venezuela elections mark a pivotal choice for the country's future. The nation faces two distinct paths: continued instability and restricted freedoms or democratic reforms that restore political rights, drive economic recovery, and reintegrate Venezuela into the global community. A comprehensive recovery plan focused on dignity, accountability, and economic transformation offers a clear path toward renewal and prosperity.

Democratic Transitions Elections

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2025

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2024

By Frederick Kempe

These articles, reports, initiatives, and convenings represent the best of the Atlantic Council’s work in 2024 to shape the global future together with allies and partners.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Report

Dec 11, 2024

Even in authoritarian countries, democracy advocates are worth investing in

By Fernanda Buril, Nate Grubman, and Patrick Quirk

Case studies in four different regions suggest that using foreign assistance to support actors and organizations advocating for democracy worldwide is an effective strategy, even if the payoff is not immediately apparent.  

Democratic Transitions Elections
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Events

Public Event Wed, July 15, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch
Corruption Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth Rule of Law
Public Event Thu, May 14, 2026 • 4:00 pm ET

Trade over aid: Prosperity for the US and the developing world
Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society United States and Canada
Flagship Event Thu, April 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Global Prosperity Forum

The Global Prosperity Forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars to explore actionable solutions for global development, freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity.
Entrepreneurship Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth Political Reform
Public Event Thu, April 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Christopher Landau on commercial diplomacy to advance US interests worldwide

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau discusses how commercial diplomacy can be used as a tool for advancing strategic US interests around the world.

Economy & Business National Security Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Tue, February 3, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

Tibetan democracy (in exile): religious freedom and political empowerment
Central Asia China Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
Public Event Wed, January 7, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

The future of humanitarian assistance
Africa Americas Freedom and Prosperity Middle East
Public Event Mon, June 23, 2025 • 7:00 pm ET

2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch
Eastern Europe Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Inclusive Growth
Online Event Fri, June 20, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

The societal value of religious freedom: An integral human development approach
Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Flagship Event Wed, March 19, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Global Prosperity Forum

The Global Prosperity Forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars to explore actionable solutions for global development, freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity.
Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Inclusive Growth
Public Event

Women for prosperity Zimbabwe
Africa Women
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About the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

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Democracy Pulse

Democracy Pulse

Democracy Pulse breaks down the latest trends and data in democracy and human rights in a succinct shorts series. Available on YouTube and Atlantic Council TV.

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Media

Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party has won the election in Taiwan, and will be inaugurated as Taiwan’s next president on May 20. As his term commences, James Storen breaks down Taiwan’s performance in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, examining numerous indicators including political freedom and elections.
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the economic bloc known as BRICS, convened for their annual summit in August. Ahead of the summit, James Storen breaks down the performance of these countries in the 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes. Freedom has declined in all BRICS countries, which has slowed down their progress in achieving prosperity.
An overview of the methodologies and takeaways behind the 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, which measure freedom and prosperity for 164 countries around the world. The annual Freedom and Prosperity Indexes are a primary output of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center.

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.

Explore the indexes

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About the program

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.

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