Western Europe

Western Europe has traditionally maintained an exemplary level of respect for democratic standards and human rights, and has generally continued to do so in recent years despite serious economic turmoil. Nevertheless, many countries have developed problems related to their treatment of immigrants and minorities, and freedom of expression faces threats in several states. Through its presence in Brussels, Freedom House works to address these issues and to increase Western Europe’s role in supporting democratic progress abroad.

Countries & Territories: 26
489 million people
85% free
Press:
72% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

News & Updates

Press Release

الحرية فى العالم 2013: مكاسب الشرق الاوسط تحدث قمع مكثف

Jan 22 2013 - 10:37am

يعتبر  ظهور  الحركات الشعبية الاصلاحية القوة الدافعة وراء تحقيق مكاسب كبيرة فى الشرق الاوسط  التقرير السنوى لمؤسسة بيت الحرية   2013 حول حالة الحرية فى العالم  " . وقد شهدت عدد من المناطق انتكاسات كان السبب الرئيسى ورائها تشدد ودهاء الانظمة المستبدة  فى طريقة تعاطيها مع تلك الحركات الاصلاحية . وقد اعلن السيد  "أرش ﺑودﻳﻧﺟﺗون" نائب رئيس قسم الابحاث بمؤسسة بيت الحرية ان "النتائج التى توصلنا اليها تشير الى ان هناك تطور متزايد  لما يسمى بالمتسلطين  الجدد  " الذين يتمتعون بالمرونة ويسيئون استخدام الاطار التشريعى للدولة  لدعم حكمهم , ولديهم مهارة في تقنيات الدعاية الحديثة, ويتسمون بالعصبية التى تدفعهم لاضطهاد  الحركات الشعبية للتغيير  .

Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe
In the News

The Crisis in the West

Jan 18 2013 - 10:38am

A year ago, the world was abuzz with talk of the euro crisis and the feared disintegration of the European Union. By the end of 2012, the discussion has shifted to the crisis of the liberal democracy model itself. The debate is no longer “Keynes vs. Hayek” or expansionary vs. austerity fiscal measures. At the heart of today’s debate are the systemic problems affecting Western civilization.

Issues: 
Intergovernmental Bodies, U.S. Foreign Policy
Regions: 
Americas, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Western Europe
In the News

Freedoms took a hit in 2012

Jan 16 2013 - 11:27am

As 2012 drew to a close, events in the Middle East dramatized two competing trends: demands for change pushed forward by popular democratic movements, and an authoritarian response that combines intransigence with strategic adaptability.

Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe
Press Release

Freedom in the World 2013: Middle East Gains Provoke Intensified Repression

Jan 16 2013 - 12:01am

The emergence of popular movements for reform were the driving force behind major gains in the Middle East last year, according to Freedom in the World 2013, Freedom House’s annual report on the state of global freedom. However, a number of regions experienced setbacks due to a hardened and increasingly shrewd authoritarian response to these movements.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Experts

Arch Puddington

Vice President for Research

Issues: 
Democratic Governance, Elections, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom, Religious Freedom, Rule of Law, U.S. Foreign Policy
Regions: 
Western Europe
Austria
8.5 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Belgium
11 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Cyprus
1.2 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Denmark
5.6 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Finland
5.4 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
France
64 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Germany
82 million people
Internet:
Free
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
15 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Greece
11 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
2.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Iceland
320 thousand people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Ireland
4.7 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Italy
61 million people
Internet:
Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
23 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Malta
399 thousand people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Netherlands
17 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Norway
5 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Portugal
11 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Spain
46 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Sweden
9.5 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Switzerland
8 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Turkey
75 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
46 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
United Kingdom
63 million people
Internet:
Free
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
25 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Greenland
Scores Overview

Countries and Territories

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Northern Cyprus
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom

Programs

The Lifeline: Embattled CSO Assistance Fund

The Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund provides emergency financial assistance to civil society organizations (CSOs) under threat or attack and advocacy support responding to broader threats to civil society. 

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program

The Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program provides emergency funds, advocacy support, and security assistance to human rights defenders and civil society organizations under threat or attack due to their work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Emergency Assistance Programs

Freedom House administers several funds which offer emergency assistance to organizations and individuals around the world who are under threat because of their human rights work. The targeted, rapid-response aid we provide enables those at risk to protect themselves and continue their important work.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe