Kosovo and Albania are named as partial free “ ” from Freedom House

However, Kosovo has scored a slight improvement in the 2026 Freedom Report in the world, estimated 61 points out of 100, one more than a year ago.

The report released on March 19th says that in Kosovo “the courts have made decisions that testify to their independence, although they have faced intense political pressure”.

According to the report, the political and institutional crisis that hit Kosovo during the past year, when the country was governed almost all the time by a government in office, has affected the country's progress in the judiciary. “in Kosovo, for example, newly elected lawmakers failed to form a government for most of the year, while the incumbent government reportedly exceeded its technical mandate, resulting in early elections; this blockade dimmed the country's progress in judicial independence and physical security”, it said in the report.

In the preliminary report, when Kosovo had 60 points, the country was estimated to have many public institutions undermined by corruption, that journalists faced intimidation and that rule of law was hampered by interventions and dysfunction in the judicial system, the REL reports, Periscopi broadcasts.

How are other Western Balkan countries listed?

Of the countries in the region, Serbia stands worst, as it is estimated at 53 points, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is 54 points.

Albania, meanwhile, is estimated highest, with 69 points, followed by Montenegro with 68 points and North Macedonia with 67 points.

Albania also scored progress for a point, compared to last year's report.

The World Freedom Report includes assessments and reports of countries on political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 13 territories worldwide.

This year's report covers developments from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

Military wells, violence against peaceful protesters and efforts to weaken constitutional guarantees during 2025 led to this being the 20th consecutive year of the global freedom decline, according to Freedom House report.

The report found 54 countries experienced worsening political rights and civic freedoms, while only 35 marked improvements.

Today, only 21 percent of the world's population live in highly regarded countries, a drop from 46 percent two decades ago, says the report.

Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Madagascar and El Salvador marked the biggest score declines in one year, while Syria, Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Gabon enjoyed the greatest improvements.

Three countries -- Bolivia, Fiji and Malawi -- were improved from a partially free “status” to “Lira”, thanks to competitive elections, increased judicial independence and strengthening rule of law. /Periscope