Ukraine climbs 18 positions in the global Freedom of Speech Index

Ukraine climbs 18 positions in the global Freedom of Speech Index

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 2024 Freedom of Expression Index, which includes 180 countries. Ukraine was in 61st place, having risen by 18 positions over the year.

The first places in the ranking were taken by Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Portugal and Ireland. These are the only countries in the world that have demonstrated “good” freedom of speech scores this year. Last year, Lithuania was also on this list.

“Satisfactory” situation in 33 countries - in most countries of Western and Central Europe, in particular Lithuania and Latvia (12th and 13th positions, respectively), Canada, Australia, Taiwan, South Africa, as well as Moldova (31st position ) and others.

The organization considers the situation in 50 countries “problematic,” in particular in Italy and Poland (46th and 47th position), the USA (55th place), Romania and Hungary (49th and 67th place). Ukraine also fell into the same category in 61st position.

In another 49 countries the situation is assessed as “complicated”. Among European countries, only Serbia, Albania and Georgia were included here (98th, 99th and 103rd places, respectively). Last year, all three of these countries had a “problematic” rating, and Georgia ranked 77th, two positions ahead of Ukraine.

In the end, in 36 countries the situation with freedom of speech was assessed as “very serious”. These are most Asian countries, in particular China, India, North Korea, Azerbaijan, as well as Russia and Belarus. At the same time, Russia rose in the ranking by two positions, and Belarus dropped by 10.

The last places in the ranking are occupied by Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea.