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.

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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. 

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Publications

New Atlanticist

Jan 2, 2024

Six ways for the US to put democracy back on the global agenda in 2024

By Patrick Quirk

As 2024 begins, the Biden administration must take urgent steps to put its pro-democracy rhetoric into action in key theaters around the world.

Africa
Americas

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2023

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2023

By Frederick Kempe

Here’s the best of our efforts to further our mission to shape the global future together with allies and partners in 2023.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment
U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

New Atlanticist

Sep 19, 2023

With the UN General Assembly underway, keep freedom at the forefront

By Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, James Storen

Data from the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Indexes show that freedom is both present and actively pursued all over the world.

Africa
Americas

Issue Brief

Sep 19, 2023

Less freedom, weaker states, more conflict: can that cycle be broken?

By Patrick W. Quirk and Owen L. Myers

Why and how advancing freedom (political, economic, and judicial components) is the surest way to advance sustainable stability and associated prosperity.

Democratic Transitions
Freedom and Prosperity

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Violence against journalists: A tool to restrict press freedom in Mexico

By Sergio M. Alcocer and Jeziret S. González

Violence against human rights defenders and journalists is a long-term struggle for Mexico and happens every day with almost total impunity. Without freedom of the press, prosperity cannot be fully achieved.

Freedom and Prosperity
Human Rights

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

The role of elites in driving towards long-term prosperity: The case of Kenya in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Luis Ravina Bohórquez

Investigating the role of elites in ensuring a country’s prosperity and development. Strong institutions and government policies are crucial to this process as they have the duty to empower society with the necessary tools to question nepotism and corruption.

Freedom and Prosperity
Political Reform

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Mexico “Mostly Free”? Mexico “Mostly Prosperous”?: Uncovering shades of gray in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

By Vanessa Rubio-Marquez

Freedom and prosperity are fragile ideals that depend on many factors that must be protected and consistently adjusted. Particular attention must be paid to countries where warning signs of decline are present.

Democratic Transitions
Freedom and Prosperity

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Informality as an anti-measure of prosperity

By Elakiya Ananthakrishnan

Inefficient public institutions and weak rule of law lead citizens to conduct business outside of regulated markets. The resulting informality impact countries’ overall prosperity.

Freedom and Prosperity
Political Reform

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Understanding India’s freedoms on the path to prosperity

By Prashant Narang and Parth J. Shah

Comparing India’s performance on the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes with others to identify improvement opportunities for India.

Freedom and Prosperity
India

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

The freedom and prosperity equation: Government interventions in Nigeria

By Danladi Verheijen

The Nigerian government should prioritize assuring economic and legal freedoms, with a focus on reducing its involvement in the economy and enhancing its role in providing security.

Freedom and Prosperity
Nigeria
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Events

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
Public Event Wed, October 9, 2024 • 5:30 am ET

Advancing democracy: A fireside chat on US global leadership and priorities with Assistant Secretary Rand
Democratic Transitions Elections Human Rights Political Reform
Public Event Thu, September 12, 2024 • 10:00 am ET

Elections under threat: Priorities for 2024, 2025, and beyond
Elections Politics & Diplomacy
Flagship Event Tue, June 25, 2024 • 4:30 am ET

2024 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch

Examining the latest trends in freedom and prosperity among 164 countries around the world.
Freedom and Prosperity
Online Event Tue, June 18, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

Religious freedom and integral human development: A new global platform
Freedom and Prosperity
Public Event Wed, March 20, 2024 • 4:00 pm ET

What is the future of Republican foreign policy?
Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity National Security Politics & Diplomacy
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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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