Armenia 54th in "Freedom in the World 2026" by Freedom House

ArmInfo. Armenia retained its 54th position in the "Freedom in the World 2026" report prepared by the international human rights organization Freedom House.

Thus, according to the report, Armenia remains among countries  considered partly free. "Following mass anti-government protests and  the 2018 elections, which led to the ouster of the entrenched  political elite, Armenia has undergone significant changes. Since  then, the government has been working to address long- standing  problems, including systemic corruption, political opacity, a flawed  electoral system, and weak rule of law," the report states regarding  Armenia, without providing further details.

However, it is emphasized that in 2025, the level of freedom in the  world declined for the 20th consecutive year. A total of 54 countries  saw a deterioration in their political rights and civil liberties  scores over the year, while only 35 saw improvements. The largest  declines over the year were recorded in Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania,  Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and El Salvador, while the largest  improvements were recorded in Syria, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, and Gabon.  Three countries-Bolivia, Fiji, and Malawi-improved their status from  "Partly Free" to "Free" thanks to competitive elections, growing  judicial independence, and strengthening the rule of law.

Among countries rated "Free," the largest declines over the year were  recorded in the United States, Bulgaria, and Italy. In the United  States, the negative change in scores was due to the escalation of  both legislative ineffectiveness and executive dominance, growing  pressure on citizens' ability to express themselves freely, and the  new administration's actions to undermine anti-corruption safeguards.  The US lost 3 points on the 100-point scale, bringing its net decline  since 2005 to 12 points, more than any other country rated "Free"  over the same period except Nauru and Bulgaria.

While many rights and freedoms have been curtailed over the past two  decades, media freedom, freedom of expression, and due process have  suffered the most. Coups d'etat, armed conflicts, attacks on  democratic institutions by elected leaders, and increased repression  by authoritarian regimes have been the primary drivers of this  deterioration over this 20-year period.

For twenty years, the decline in global freedom has been a boon for  the world's autocracies, whose numbers have increased and their  repression has intensified. In 2005, 45 countries were rated Not  Free; today, that number stands at 59. Within their borders, this  growing group of authoritarian rulers has sought to eradicate ethnic  and religious minorities; eliminate political opponents, democracy  activists, and independent media; and foster corruption. They have  also increasingly threatened and disregarded the sovereignty of other  countries. Through collaboration and influence, autocrats have sought  to reshape the US-led international order created after World War II  to ensure peace, rights, and accountability. They have attacked or  undermined civil society groups, journalists, international and  regional organizations, and independent election observers, viewing  these actors and institutions as obstacles to kleptocracy and the  unbridled exercise of power.