The source defines the democracy gap as the number of countries that improved their score minus the number of countries that declined in score.
Freedom in the World 2025 evaluates the state of freedom in 195 countries and 15 territories during the calendar year 2024. Each country and territory is assigned between zero and four points on a series of 25 indicators, for an aggregate score of up to 100. The indicators are grouped into the categories of political rights (0–40) and civil liberties (0–60), whose totals are weighted equally to determine whether the country or territory has an overall status of Free, Partly Free, or Not Free.
In 2024, the democracy gap worldwide was ***, compared to *** in 2023. In 2024, ** countries saw improvements in political rights and civil liberties, whereas ** saw a decline. The factors considered when determining the democratic conditions include the electoral process, functioning of the government, civil liberties, and rights. *** were among the countries that saw a significant improvement in their scores, with *** among the countries experiencing a decline.
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Freedom House. (February 26, 2025). Democracy gap globally from 2005 to 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from /statistics/1246050/democracy-gap-globally/
Freedom House. "Democracy gap globally from 2005 to 2024." Chart. February 26, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 15, 2026. /statistics/1246050/democracy-gap-globally/
Freedom House. (2025). Democracy gap globally from 2005 to 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 15, 2026. /statistics/1246050/democracy-gap-globally/
Freedom House. "Democracy Gap Globally from 2005 to 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 26 Feb 2025, /statistics/1246050/democracy-gap-globally/
Freedom House, Democracy gap globally from 2005 to 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1246050/democracy-gap-globally/ (last visited July 15, 2026)
Democracy gap globally from 2005 to 2024 [Graph], Freedom House, February 26, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1246050/democracy-gap-globally/
