Which countries show the most significant decline in academic freedom?

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Significant Declines in Academic Freedom Observed in India, China, and Russia

A recent global index indicates that India, China, and Russia are experiencing the most substantial declines in academic freedom. These nations, which are among the world's most populous, are cited as clear examples of increasing authoritarianism impacting higher education and research. The proportion of the global population living in countries with restricted academic freedom is now comparable to levels seen in 1973, with 45.5% of people, or 3.6 billion individuals, residing in nations where academic freedom is severely limited.
India's Sharply Decreased Academic Freedom Since 2014

Academic freedom in India has seen a dramatic reduction since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. This deterioration is exemplified by incidents such as British-Indian academic Nitasha Kaul, a politics professor at the University of Westminster, being denied entry into India for a conference in March. This restriction on academic movement and discourse highlights the challenges faced by scholars engaging with the country.
Russia and China Show Worsening Academic Freedom Conditions

In Russia and China, the state of academic freedom, which was never considered high, has deteriorated further. The index describes the situation as having moved "from bad to worse," suggesting a persistent and deepening restriction on the independence of universities and research within these countries. This trend reflects broader patterns of autocratic governance impacting intellectual inquiry.
United States Also Experiences a Decline in Academic Freedom

Perhaps more surprisingly, the United States has also witnessed a decline in academic freedom since 2019. This finding has been described as a shock to many academics, with experts attributing the shift to the highly polarised nature of both the society and the political system. University campuses are increasingly becoming venues where this societal division plays out, underscoring the challenges to open, evidence-based debate.
Eastern European Nations Face Lowest Academic Freedom Scores

Within Europe, Hungary records the lowest rate of academic freedom according to the index, with Poland also scoring poorly. While the index highlights these low scores, there is an expectation that Poland's situation may improve under the new government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, suggesting that political shifts can influence academic liberties.

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Which countries show the most significant decline in academic freedom?

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