Kosovo and Albania are classified as “partly free” in the latest annual report by Washington-based Freedom House. However, Albania ranks highest in the region with 69 points. It is followed by Montenegro with 68 points and North Macedonia with 67.

Moreover, Albania improved by one point compared to last year. Similarly, Kosovo also recorded a slight gain in the 2026 Freedom in the World report. It scored 61 out of 100, one point higher than the previous year.

In contrast, Serbia ranks lowest in the region with 53 points. Bosnia and Herzegovina follows with 54.

The Freedom in the World report evaluates political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 13 territories worldwide. This year’s report covers developments from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

Meanwhile, military coups, violence against peaceful protesters, and efforts to weaken constitutional safeguards marked 2025. As a result, it became the 20th consecutive year of global freedom decline, according to Freedom House.

The report, published on March 19, notes that courts in Kosovo issued rulings that demonstrate their independence. However, they also faced strong political pressure.

At the same time, a political and institutional crisis affected Kosovo last year. The country operated mostly under a caretaker government. Consequently, this situation slowed progress in the judiciary.

Globally, 54 countries experienced declines in political rights and civil liberties. By contrast, only 35 countries showed improvement.

Today, just 21 percent of the world’s population lives in countries rated as free. This marks a sharp drop from 46 percent two decades ago.

In terms of country trends, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and El Salvador recorded the largest declines. On the other hand, Syria, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, and Gabon achieved the biggest gains.

Finally, three countries—Bolivia, Fiji, and Malawi—moved from “partly free” to “free.” They achieved this shift through competitive elections, stronger judicial independence, and improved rule of law.