Canada is no stranger to ranking at the top on various social and governmental indices, and the latest version of the Freedom in the World report is no exception.
Placing 5th out of 208 jurisdictions evaluated by Freedom House, Canada received nearly top marks on political rights (39/40) and civil liberties (58/60) for a total score of 97/100 on the Freedom in the World 2025 report. Canada also scored relatively high compared to its international peers for a new Freedom on the Net (internet) ranking, scoring 86/100.
According to the watchdog group, global freedom has dropped for 19 consecutive years as of 2024. Additionally, political rights and civil liberties deteriorated in 60 countries, affecting more than 40% of the global population, while only 34 jurisdictions showed improvement.
Below are the top 15 countries on the Freedom in the World 2025 Report, plus more on why this matters globally.
Note: numbers represent the total score out of 100 on Freedom in the World 2025 Report
Source: freedomhouse.org
Freedom in the World 2024 Map
Apart from Norway (3rd) and Australia (18th), Canada is one of the few major exporters of natural resources – energy, forestry, mining, and agricultural products – that ranks as high as it does on freedom in the world. Scores for other major resource-exporting nations include:
Concerning resource supply chains, measuring how “free” a trade partner is can be crucial for stability and reliability. For example:
“Free” countries like Canada typically have more transparent and accountable governance structures. These frameworks ensure natural resources are managed and developed under stringent regulations and in a trade-friendly manner, promoting long-term trade stability and global welfare.
In contrast, countries classified as "not free" often lack the checks and balances that prevent over-exploitation and mismanagement of natural resources, leading to socio-economic degradation and inefficiencies in resource allocation. In many instances, “not free” countries are riddled with corrupt officials, resulting in the irresponsible governance of such resources.
“Free” countries generally uphold much higher labour standards and worker rights, ensuring that the labourers behind the extraction and production of natural resources like energy, minerals, metals, food, lumber, oil, and natural gas are treated fairly and earn respectable wages with accompanying benefits.
This ethical consideration stands in stark contrast to "not free" countries, where labour abuses, including child labour, forced labour, and unsafe working conditions, are more likely to occur due to the lack of freedom of association and inadequate legal protections under regimes with little to no consideration for human rights.
“Free” countries with access to global markets are usually compliant with international regulations and tend to engage in fairer, more reliable trade practices, making them stable partners in global resource supply chains.
On the other hand, "not free" countries might use resource trade as a geopolitical tool, leading to instability in global markets and potentially leveraging natural resources for political gains rather than mutual economic benefit.
The political stability and rule of law typically found in “free” countries contribute to a more predictable and secure business environment for natural resource investments. This stability usually attracts both domestic and foreign investors, which fuels further development and ensures a steady supply of resources on the global stage.
"Not free" countries, plagued by corruption and political instability, often deter investment, leading to underdevelopment of their natural resource sectors and a less reliable supply of resources to the world.
It’s time to assert our position as one of the world’s most important natural resource producers.
— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) May 3, 2025
Energy, mining, food, and forestry underpin our national prosperity and it’s time to take our trade security seriously. pic.twitter.com/zvQEjU4JYh
Despite all the benefits of trade with “free” countries, Canada’s overburdening regulatory regime is holding our country back.
Canada’s top banking leaders have recently agreed that we need to repeal economy-hindering regulations like Bill C-69, the oil and gas emissions cap, and the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) if we plan on getting new nation-building projects built. This comes at a time when Canada’s economy has seen several economic red flags including stagnant GDP per capita growth, alarming labour productivity levels, and the flight of investment capital to other more appealing jurisdictions abroad over the past several years to name a few examples.
Canada can be the freest country on earth, but if our regulatory systems and processes aren’t conducive to investment, Canadians will pay the price. This is evident from the hundreds of billions of dollars in cancelled resource projects over the past decade.
Canada needs a strong economy. That means changing our regulatory regimes to attract capital, create jobs, and support prosperity for Canadian families and future generations. As an export-based economy, we must build pipelines, powerlines, ports, railways, and roads that will allow Canada to diversify our export markets and secure our economic future and independence.
The world is changing. Canada must adapt to new global challenges and take control of our economic destiny through expanded resource development and the construction of new trade infrastructure. The opportunity is before us – the question is, will we take it this time around?
The Freedom in the World 2025 Report underscores the significance of freedom and its associated values in the management and distribution of natural resources. Free countries like Canada ensure reliable and ethical practices in resource production, contributing to global stability through more efficient, innovative, and fair-trade practices. The same can't always be said for our "not free" counterparts.
Join us today to learn more about why it matters where the world gets its natural resources from, and why Canada should be a go-to supplier for all of the above.
We’re rich in resources and we can develop them safely — Let’s get everyone to work. pic.twitter.com/YId5c9CpHY
— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) May 2, 2025