Global Findings 2024
PEOPLE POWER UNDER ATTACK 2024
The CIVICUS Monitor, which began in 2017, tracks the state of freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression in 198 countries and territories.
The annual report, People Power Under Attack, rates the state of civic space conditions based on data collected throughout the year from country-focused civil society organisations, regionally-based research teams, international human rights indices and the CIVICUS Monitor's in-house experts. The data from these four separate sources are then combined to assign each country and territory a rating as either open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed or closed. In the 2024 edition, we unveil new civic space ratings and analyse trends at the regional and global level.
Trends
Civic freedoms are being curtailed in an overwhelming majority of countries. Civil society is under severe attack in 116 of 198 countries and territories.
Rating Changes
In this year's report there are civic space rating changes for 18 countries. 9 countries have been downgraded while 9 countries have been upgraded.
Where Do People Live?
7 in 10 people live in Closed or Repressed countries. Compared with last year, an additional 1.5 percentage points of the global population now lives in these two worst categories.
Solidarity with Palestine Repressed
Nearly 10% of total violations documented either took place in the Occupied Palestinian Territories or were perpetrated against those expressing solidarity with Palestine.
KEY FINDINGS
#1 violation: Protesters detained
Of the over 50 rights violations we monitor, the detention of protesters was the most prevalent violation of 2024, occuring in at least 76 countries.
Bright Spots and positive developments
Discover inspiring stories and resilient movements, with an interactive map that explores civil society triumphs and positive developments.
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
The report's regional sections offer focused insights into the distinctive challenges encountered by activists, journalists, and civil society organisations. These segments delve into threats, tactics, and trends relevant to each region, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the global landscape for civic freedoms.
RATING CHANGES
From mature democracies to authoritarian regimes, nine countries have been downgraded and nine upgraded in this year's report.
Bangladesh
Fiji
Liberia
Poland
Botswana
Trinidad and Tobago
Jamaica
Japan
Slovenia
Occupied Palestinian Territories
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Burkina Faso
Kenya
Peru
Georgia
Mongolia
Netherlands
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the final sections of the report, we present actionable policy changes and strategies aimed at safeguarding and advancing civic freedoms globally. There are dedicated recommendations for governments, the United Nations, the private sector and donors.