Finland, Norway and Sweden have received the top score in the Freedom in the World 2017 index.

Each year, Freedom in the World assesses the real-world rights and freedoms enjoyed by individuals, rather than governments or government performance. This latest report evaluated 195 countries and 14 territories during the calendar year 2016.

A series of 25 indicators were used to determine the freedom of each country and territory, with Finland, Norway and Sweden receiving the maximum score of 100. Denmark was scored 97.

Of the 195 countries assessed, 87 (45 percent) were rated Free, 59 (30 percent) Partly Free, and 49 (25 percent) Not Free.

The Middle East and North Africa region had the worst ratings in the world in 2016, followed closely by Eurasia.

The report is published by US Government-funded NGO Freedom House.

Source and graphics: freedomhouse.org