Almost 7 billion people globally do not have full civil rights, highlighting significant human rights issues worldwide.

A recent study highlights a concerning trend regarding civil liberties around the globe, revealing that only a mere 40 countries, representing 3.5 percent of the world’s population, fully respect civil rights. The report, titled “Atlas of Civil Society,” published by the German humanitarian organization Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World), indicates that merely 284 million individuals reside in nations classified as “open,” where civil liberties, including freedom of expression and the right to assemble, are robustly protected.

Countries such as Austria, Estonia, several Nordic nations, New Zealand, and Jamaica exemplify models of civil liberty, where individuals can form associations without facing legal impediments, participate in public demonstrations, and freely disseminate information. This definition of openness underscores the value of societies that prioritize civil participation and transparency.

Meanwhile, the report categorizes an additional 42 countries, encompassing 11.1 percent of the global population, in a category labeled “impaired.” These nations include established democracies such as Germany, Slovakia, Argentina, and the United States, where rights to assembly and expression are generally respected but subject to violations.

However, the landscape for civil liberties appears bleak for a significant majority, with 85 percent of the world’s population—approximately seven billion people—living in countries where civil society faces restrictions, oppression, or outright closure. This classification applies to 115 nations, where governments impose severe limitations on civil liberties, often targeting dissenters through harassment, arrest, or worse.

Notable examples of “restricted” civil societies include several European nations such as Greece, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Ukraine. In certain countries, civil society is deemed “oppressed,” which includes Algeria and Mexico, and these governments employ censorship and violent measures against critics.

The report outlines that countries like Russia and 28 others exist in a “closed” environment, characterized by fear of governmental retribution against dissenting opinions. Contrary to the difficulties faced by many, the report also notes positive recent developments; nine countries reported improvements in freedom of expression last year, including Jamaica, Japan, and Botswana, while nine others faced downgrades, including Georgia and the Palestinian territory.

Dagmar Pruin, the president of Brot für die Welt, emphasized the pressing challenge of protecting the rule of law and preventing arbitrary governance. As the global community grapples with the complexities of civil liberties, it becomes increasingly vital to champion open societies where governance supports civil engagement, transparency, and human rights for all citizens.

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