Civil Liberties Score in United States
United States: Civil Liberties Score was 49 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Civil Liberties Score in United States, 2003–2025
Source: Freedom House (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for civil liberties score in United States is 49, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is down 2.0% on the previous year and down 9.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, civil liberties score in United States peaked at 56 in 2003 and was at its lowest, 49, in 2025.
That places United States 61st out of 197 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Civil Liberties Score in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 56 | — |
| 2004 | 55 | -1.8% |
| 2005 | 56 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 55 | -1.8% |
| 2007 | 56 | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 56 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 56 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 56 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 55 | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 56 | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 55 | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 55 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 54 | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 53 | -1.9% |
| 2017 | 53 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 53 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 53 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 51 | -3.8% |
| 2021 | 51 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 50 | -2.0% |
| 2023 | 50 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 50 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 49 | -2.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 49 is below the median for high income countries, which is 53, 92% of the median. (66 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 55.71 | 55 | 56 | 7 |
| 2010s | 54.3 | 53 | 56 | 10 |
| 2020s | 50.17 | 49 | 51 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is civil liberties score in United States?
- Civil liberties score in United States was 49 in 2025, according to Freedom House (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest civil liberties score recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 56 in 2003.
- What is the lowest civil liberties score recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 49 in 2025.
- How does United States rank for civil liberties score?
- United States ranks 61st out of 197 countries with data for 2025.
- Is civil liberties score rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Freedom House (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Civil Liberties Score. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 23 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The variable identifies the fine-grained extent of freedom of expression and association, the rule of law, and personal autonomy. Higher scores indicate more liberties.