Human Rights Index by Country: Global Comparison 2025

The Human Rights Index is a comprehensive measure that evaluates the extent to which nations protect and promote fundamental human rights, including freedoms of speech, assembly, and equality before the law. This index scores countries on a scale from 0 to 1, with higher values reflecting stronger commitments to safeguarding individual rights and ensuring social justice.

Human rights are the foundation of peaceful and prosperous societies. They are essential for dignity, equality, and freedom. While many nations prioritize human rights, others struggle due to political instability, systemic discrimination, or weak rule of law. This article delves into the countries that excel in protecting human rights, highlighting the top performers and providing a complete global perspective on the Human Rights Index.

Top Countries Excelling in Human Rights

Estonia: 0.96
New Zealand: 0.96
Sweden: 0.96
Denmark: 0.96
Ireland: 0.96
Belgium: 0.96
Finland: 0.96

The top-ranked nations on the Human Rights Index share a deep commitment to equality, freedom, and transparency. Estonia’s innovative use of technology to ensure democratic participation and its strong legal framework places it among the best. New Zealand consistently upholds indigenous rights and gender equality, while Sweden and Denmark are renowned for their comprehensive welfare systems and progressive social policies. Ireland and Belgium excel in ensuring access to justice and freedom of expression, while Finland’s education-driven approach to equality ensures a fair society. These countries serve as role models, demonstrating how strong governance, transparency, and a commitment to individual freedoms can create just societies.

Full Table

wdt_ID	wdt_created_by	wdt_created_at	wdt_last_edited_by	wdt_last_edited_at	Country	Human Rights Index
1	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Estonia	0.96
2	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	New Zealand	0.96
3	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Sweden	0.96
4	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Denmark	0.96
5	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Ireland	0.96
6	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Belgium	0.96
7	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Finland	0.96
8	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Switzerland	0.95
9	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Czechia	0.95
10	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Iceland	0.95
11	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Germany	0.95
12	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Luxembourg	0.95
13	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Spain	0.95
14	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Taiwan	0.94
15	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Uruguay	0.94
16	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Costa Rica	0.93
17	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Norway	0.93
18	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Japan	0.93
19	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Chile	0.93
20	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Austria	0.93
21	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	United States	0.93
22	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Latvia	0.92
23	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Portugal	0.92
24	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Cape Verde	0.92
25	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Barbados	0.92
26	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Netherlands	0.92
27	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Italy	0.92
28	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Australia	0.92
29	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	France	0.92
30	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Slovakia	0.92
31	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Lithuania	0.91
32	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Canada	0.91
33	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Malta	0.91
34	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Ghana	0.90
35	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Slovenia	0.90
36	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Sao Tome and Principe	0.90
37	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Moldova	0.90
38	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Croatia	0.90
39	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Argentina	0.90
40	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Bulgaria	0.90
41	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	United Kingdom	0.90
42	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Montenegro	0.90
43	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Cyprus	0.90
44	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Suriname	0.90
45	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Dominican Republic	0.89
46	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Seychelles	0.89
47	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	South Korea	0.88
48	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Trinidad and Tobago	0.88
49	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Panama	0.88
50	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	mfk97mfk	14/12/2024 05:45 PM	Gambia	0.88

The Importance of the Human Rights Index

The Human Rights Index provides critical insights into a country’s ability to protect its citizens’ freedoms. It acts as a benchmark for progress and helps identify areas for improvement. Countries that score highly on the index typically enjoy greater social cohesion, trust in institutions, and international respect. For lower-scoring nations, the index highlights systemic challenges that need attention, such as discrimination, lack of freedom of speech, or unequal access to justice.

Challenges in Advancing Human Rights

Despite significant progress, many nations face obstacles in promoting human rights. Political instability, authoritarian regimes, and cultural norms often hinder advancements. In some regions, basic freedoms like speech and assembly are suppressed, while marginalized communities struggle for equality. Addressing these challenges requires international cooperation, grassroots advocacy, and strong legal frameworks to ensure every individual’s rights are protected.

Source

Human rights index – Our World in Data

Top Countries Excelling in Human Rights

Full Table

The Importance of the Human Rights Index

Challenges in Advancing Human Rights

Source

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