If you love freedom, then here's a list of the twenty-four freest countries/territories on earth (only one North American nation made the cut, and no, it's not the self-proclaimed land of the free). It's never too late to make the move, don't be tied down to anyone country. (I understand the timing of this is not convenient, but earth will open up once again, so be ready to leap into a nation of your choosing, the freer the better, that's of course, if freedom is your kind of thing).
In their 2020 rankings, Freedom House rated 210 countries out of 100 (rating out of 40 for political rights and 60 for civil liberties). If you have any complaints please direct it towards them, otherwise send your angst towards me, and I'll quietly explain why the following are the freest of them all.
Finland 100/100 (40 political, 60 civil)*
Norway 100/100 (40 political, 60 civil)
Sweden 100/100 (40 political, 60 civil)
Netherlands 99/100 (40 political, 59 civil)
Canada 98/100 (40 political, 58 civil)
Luxembourg 98/100 (38 political, 60 civil)
Uruguay 98/100 (40 political, 58 civil)
Australia 97/100 (40 political, 57 civil)
Denmark 97/100 (40 political, 57 civil)
Ireland 97/100 (39 political, 58 civil)
New Zealand 97/100 (40 political, 57 civil)
Belgium 96/100 (39 political, 57 civil)
Japan 96/100 (40 political, 56 civil)
Portugal 96/100 (39 political, 57 civil)
Switzerland 96/100 (39 political, 57 civil)
Barbados 95/100 (38 political, 57 civil)
San Marino 95/100 (38 political, 57 civil)
Andorra 94/100 (39 political, 55 civil)
Cyprus 94/100 (38 political, 56 civil)
Estonia 94/100 (38 political, 56 civil)
Germany 94/100 (39 political, 55 civil)
Iceland 94/100 (37 political, 57 civil)
Slovenia 94/100 (39 political, 55 civil)
United Kingdom 94/100 (39 political, 55 civil)
Honourable (and not so honourable) mentions: Saudi Arabia 7/100 (1 political, 6 civil); China 10/100 (-1 political, 11 civil); Iran 17 (7 political, 10 civil); Russia 20/100 (5 political, 15 civil); India 71/100 (34 political, 37 civil); Brazil 75/100 (31 political, 44 civil); Israel 76/100 (33 political, 43 civil); South Korea 83/100 (33 political, 50 civil); Italy 89 (36 political, 53 civil); France 90/100 (38 political, 52 civil); Costa Rica 91/100 (38 political, 53 civil); Spain 92 (38 political, 54 civil).
Shout-out to Armenia! One of the best performers from the previous year, rising 6 points to 53/100 (21 political, 32 civil) - only fitting that today marks the day of the Armenian First Republic.
Unfortunately, many humans still play the discrimination card (I blame lack of travel and ignorance). To dispel myths about places often overlooked, here's two examples: Ghana (an African success story) 82/100 (35 political, 47 civil) and Indonesia (world's largest Muslim populace) 61/100 (30 political, 31 civil).
In case you're wondering, freedom-loving USA received 86/100 (33 political, 53 civil). That is lower than Greece, 88 (37 political, 51 civil), which is fitting, seeing as the Greeks gave the world democracy.
*There is a reason why I pledged allegiance to the great nation of Finland. All earthlings should applaud nations that champion freedom, and ensure your own country of residence follows suit.
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| Presidential Palace, Helsinki (March 13, 2019) |
