Timor-Leste is the only Southeast Asian nation considered “Free” among the 11 countries in the region, according to Freedom House’s annual Freedom in the World report.
Timor-Leste Leads the Region
The youngest country in the region — and the only one not yet a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — received the highest rating of any Southeast Asian nation: 70 out of 100, according to the 2018 report released by Freedom House.
In the previous year’s report, Timor-Leste had already moved from “Partially Free” to “Free”, following “fair elections that led to a smooth transfer of power and allowed new parties and candidates entry into the political system.”
Freedom House Rankings for Southeast Asia
| Country | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Timor-Leste | 70 | Free |
| Indonesia | 62 | Partially Free |
| Philippines | 61 | Partially Free |
| Malaysia | 52 | Partially Free |
| Singapore | 51 | Partially Free |
| Myanmar | 30 | Partially Free |
| Thailand | 30 | Not Free |
| Brunei | 29 | Not Free |
| Cambodia | 29 | Not Free |
| Vietnam | 20 | Not Free |
| Laos | 14 | Not Free |
Asia-Pacific Regional Overview
At the broadest level, among the 4.1 billion people in the Asia-Pacific region:
- 39% are considered to live in “Free” countries
- 21% in “Partially Free” countries
- 40% in “Non-Free” countries
The report noted that all regions except Asia and the Pacific have a lower average freedom score in 2018 than in 2005, when the study began — though even the Asia-Pacific figure declines when small nations of fewer than one million people (the majority of Pacific states) are excluded.
Overall, Freedom House reported that political rights and civil liberties have been falling steadily over the past 13 years, with the number of countries experiencing declining values outnumbering those with improvements. The loss of freedoms was most pronounced in countries already classified as “Non-Free.”
About Freedom House
Founded in October 1941, Freedom House is an independent non-governmental organisation dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world. It was the first American organisation to champion the advancement of freedom globally.
Freedom House’s work includes:
- Analysing the challenges to freedom worldwide
- Advocating for greater political rights and civil liberties
- Supporting frontline activists who defend human rights and promote democratic change