The Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

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The indexes rank 164 countries around the world according to their levels of freedom and prosperity. Use our award-winning site to explore 28 years of data, compare countries and regions, and examine the sub-indexes and indicators that comprise our indexes.

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Annual Reports

2025 Atlas: Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Twenty leading economists, scholars, and diplomats analyze the state of freedom and prosperity in eighteen countries around the world, looking back not only on a consequential year but across twenty-nine years of data on markets, rights, and the rule of law.

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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

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

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2024

In Ghana, incoming President John Mahama must follow debt restructuring with economic reform

By Rabah Arezki

The Mahama administration will need to focus on increasing transparency and the removal of corporate subsidies. But for its reform agenda to work, Ghana must receive support from the international community to expedite its debt restructuring.

Africa Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Nov 19, 2024

The shift from party to personality politics is harming Latin American democracies

By Christine Zaino, Sofia Herrera

This paper is the fourth in the Freedom and Prosperity Center’s “State of the Parties” series analyzing the strength of multi-party systems in different regions of the world.

Americas Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2024

Rethinking international economic cooperation for the twenty-first century

By Rabah Arezki

In the twenty-first century, the challenge is to rebuild international economic governance in a world increasingly organized around geopolitical blocs.

Africa Americas

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2024

Donald Trump just won the presidency. Our experts answer the big questions about what that means for America’s role in the world.

By Atlantic Council experts

When Trump returns to the presidency on January 20 next year, a number of global challenges will be awaiting him. Our experts outline what to expect.

Conflict Economy & Business

Report

Sep 23, 2024

How Zimbabwe can achieve its vision of prosperity

By Nina Dannaoui, Joseph Lemoine, William Mortenson, James Storen

Empowering women and attracting foreign investment will be critical in helping Zimbabwe make its vision of prosperity a reality.

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Sep 5, 2024

Supporting credible elections to advance democracy globally in 2024 and beyond

By Katherine Ellena, Mario Mitre, and Patrick Quirk

The US and its allies support free and fair elections to strengthen democracy, ensuring global stability and security. This paper explores how US foreign aid for elections is a wise investment, highlighting priority elections in 2024 and 2025 where focused assistance can uphold democratic values and foster citizens’ trust in the democratic process.

Africa Elections
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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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