As in the previous year, Tajikistan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.

In the “civil liberties” category, Tajikistan got only 7 out of 100 maximum possible scores; while in the “political rights” category, Tajikistan awarded zero scores (the worst possible rate). 

To be rated Partly Free, a country must got not less than 36 out of 100 maximum possible scores. 

In the Freedom in World 2023, all Central countries were rated Not Free. 

This year, Kyrgyzstan got 27 scores, Kazakhstan – 23, Uzbekistan – 12, and Turkmenistan – 2.  

Like Tajikistan, Turkmenistan awarded zero scores in in the “political freedoms” category.

Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan got 4. 5 and 2 scores, respectively. 

As far as the “civil liberties” category is concerned, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan awarded 23, 18, 10 and 2 scores, respectively      

Russia with 16 scores is also rated Not Free.  It got 11 scores in the “civil liberties” category and 5 scores in the “political rights” category.   

The 2023 edition of Freedom in the World is the 50th in this series of annual comparative reports.  The report notes that global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year, the struggle for democracy may be approaching a turning point, infringement on freedom of expression has long been a key driver of global democratic decline, and the fight for freedom persists across decades.

Freedom in the World is a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based and partially U.S. government funded non-governmental organization Freedom House that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and significant related and disputed territories around the world.  Since 1973, Freedom House has assessed the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world. It is used on a regular basis by policymakers, journalists, academics, activists, and many others.

The Freedom in the World report is composed of numerical ratings and supporting descriptive texts for 195 countries and 15 territories.  External analysts assess 210 countries and territories, using a combination of on-the-ground research, consultations with local contacts, and information from news articles, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and a variety of other sources.  Expert advisers and regional specialists then vet the analysts’ conclusions. The final product represents the consensus of the analysts, advisers, and Freedom House staff.

For each country and territory, Freedom in the World analyzes the electoral process, political pluralism and participation, the functioning of the government, freedom of expression and of belief, associational and organizational rights, the rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights.