Chart of the Week
Namibia ranks highest in mainland Africa in the 2023 Personal Freedom Index, surpassed only by the island nations of Cape Verde and Seychelles, with a score of 8.13 out of 10.
The Personal Freedom Index, a component of the Human Freedom Index (which also assesses Economic Freedom), includes indicators such as the fairness of laws, personal safety, freedom of movement and assembly, freedom of religion, freedom to run for political office, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of relationships. This index incorporates several others, such as the Press Freedom Index and Democracy Index.
While disaggregated 2023 scores are not yet available, Namibia’s overall 2022 score (8.37) shows that the country scored highest in freedom of religion, with a rating of 9.84, followed by freedom of movement (9.75). Expression and information scored 8.56 in 2022, although Namibia’s press freedom rating has since declined, likely contributing to the fall in the overall score. Namibia scores lowest in the area of rule of law (6.07), with weak ratings in criminal, civil, and procedural justice in previous years.
Namibia remains above the global average of 6.82 for human freedom and has seen a gradual increase from a score of 7.38 in 2000 to 8.13 today. While this is down from its peak of 8.37 in 2022, it is encouraging to see Namibia standing out on the continent alongside island nations Cape Verde and Seychelles.
The Personal Freedom Index, a component of the Human Freedom Index (which also assesses Economic Freedom), includes indicators such as the fairness of laws, personal safety, freedom of movement and assembly, freedom of religion, freedom to run for political office, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of relationships. This index incorporates several others, such as the Press Freedom Index and Democracy Index.
While disaggregated 2023 scores are not yet available, Namibia’s overall 2022 score (8.37) shows that the country scored highest in freedom of religion, with a rating of 9.84, followed by freedom of movement (9.75). Expression and information scored 8.56 in 2022, although Namibia’s press freedom rating has since declined, likely contributing to the fall in the overall score. Namibia scores lowest in the area of rule of law (6.07), with weak ratings in criminal, civil, and procedural justice in previous years.
Namibia remains above the global average of 6.82 for human freedom and has seen a gradual increase from a score of 7.38 in 2000 to 8.13 today. While this is down from its peak of 8.37 in 2022, it is encouraging to see Namibia standing out on the continent alongside island nations Cape Verde and Seychelles.
