• While nearly half of the regional population lives in ‘Open’ countries, more than a third now lives in countries ranked as ‘In Crisis’.

• All countries in the global Top 10 are in Europe and Central Asia, but numerous countries in the region are experiencing severe downturns.  

• Over the last decade, 26 countries in the region experienced declines in freedom of expression, but only 3 of these were significant (score drops of at least 20 points): Georgia (27 points), Kyrgyzstan (23), and Belarus (21). Just 3 countries advanced over the same period – but none of these were significant.

• In the last year, 6 countries experienced declines, 3 of which were significant (score drops of 5 points or more). The biggest declines took place in Georgia (16 points), Moldova (11), and Slovakia (7). Just 1 country in the region advanced during the same period: Poland’s score increased by 19 points, shifting it into the ‘Open’ category.