🇨🇳China Freedom Score: 9/100
China is rated "Not Free" by Freedom House with a score of 9 out of 100, based on the 2024 assessment of political rights and civil liberties.
Freedom House evaluates political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 15 territories, scoring each on a 0-100 scale.
China has a population that increased from 550 million in 1950 to approximately 1.4 billion today. The country has undergone significant political and social changes since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, including the Cultural Revolution and economic reforms initiated in the late 20th century. The official language is Mandarin Chinese, and the population is predominantly Han Chinese, with various ethnic minorities present.
Freedom Score Breakdown
China scores 9 out of 100 on the Freedom House index, which is among the lowest in the world, reflecting severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms. The country has a political rights rating of 7 out of 7 (severely restricted political rights) and a civil liberties rating of 6 out of 7 (severely restricted civil liberties). On the Freedom House scale, 1 represents the most free and 7 the least free.
Freedom Assessment: China
Rated Not Free with a score of 9/100. Political rights rated 7/7 and civil liberties 6/7 (lower is better).
Freedom House classifies China as "Not Free" with an aggregate score of 9 out of 100, based on its 2024 assessment. This score reflects evaluations across 25 indicators covering electoral processes, political pluralism, government functioning, freedom of expression, associational and organizational rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy.
On the political rights dimension, China received a rating of 7 on a 1-to-7 scale, indicating severely restricted political rights. This covers electoral processes, political pluralism and participation, and the functioning of government. Countries rated 1-2 on this scale generally hold competitive, free elections with meaningful opposition and independent legislatures.
On civil liberties, China received a 6 out of 7, indicating severely restricted civil liberties. This dimension measures freedom of expression and belief, associational and organizational rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights. Countries rated 1-2 tend to have independent judiciaries, free press, and strong protections for individual rights.
What This Means for Travelers
Travelers to China should be aware of significant restrictions on speech, press, assembly, and political participation. Expressing political opinions publicly or engaging with local activists carries risk. Monitor your embassy's guidance before and during travel.
For additional context, China currently holds a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State. Freedom ratings and travel advisories measure different things: the Freedom House score evaluates institutional protections for rights and liberties, while the State Department advisory addresses immediate physical safety concerns. A country can be rated "Free" but still carry a Level 2 or higher advisory due to crime, terrorism, or other localized risks.
Data on this page comes from Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization founded in 1941 that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom, and human rights. Their annual "Freedom in the World" report has been published since 1973 and is widely used by policymakers, journalists, and academics.
AS Region: Freedom Comparison
How China compares to other countries in AS based on Freedom House scores. Higher scores indicate greater political freedom.
| Country | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 96/100 | Free |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 92/100 | Free |
| 🇲🇳 Mongolia | 84/100 | Free |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 83/100 | Free |
| 🇨🇳 China(this country) | 9/100 | Not Free |
Showing top countries in AS with Freedom House data. View full global democracy rankings
Common Questions About China's Freedom Rating
What does a Freedom House score of 9 mean for China?▶
A score of 9 out of 100 places China in the "Not Free" category. Freedom House evaluates 25 indicators across political rights and civil liberties. Scores of 70-100 typically correspond to "Free," 40-69 to "Partly Free," and 0-39 to "Not Free." China's score of 9 is among the lowest in the world, reflecting severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
Is China safe to travel to based on its freedom rating?▶
Freedom ratings and travel safety are related but measure different things. The freedom score assesses institutional protections for rights and liberties, not physical safety directly. Some countries rated "Free" may still have areas with elevated crime or natural disaster risk, while some "Not Free" countries can be physically safe for tourists. China currently has a Level 2 travel advisory. Check the China travel advisory page for safety-specific guidance.
What do the political rights and civil liberties ratings mean?▶
Freedom House rates political rights and civil liberties on a 1-to-7 scale, where 1 represents the most free and 7 the least free. Political rights cover electoral processes, political pluralism, and government functioning. Civil liberties cover freedom of expression, associational rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy. China rates 7/7 on political rights and 6/7 on civil liberties.
How often is the Freedom House data updated?▶
Freedom House publishes its "Freedom in the World" report annually, typically in February or March. The 2024 assessment shown here reflects conditions observed during the prior calendar year. Our data is updated within days of each new report. Between annual reports, real-world conditions may shift, so always cross-reference with current news and your government's travel advisory.
How does China compare to other countries in AS?▶
China ranks #184 globally in our democracy ranking with a composite score of 7. Within AS, you can see how it compares in the regional table above. The composite democracy score weights Freedom House data at 70% and World Bank Voice and Accountability indicators at 30%. View the full global democracy rankings.
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Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
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