Mapped: Internet Freedom Around the World in 2026

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How free is the internet where you live?

This map ranks 171 countries based on how freely people can access the internet. The results reveal stark global differences, from highly open systems in parts of Europe and Latin America to tightly controlled networks in countries like North Korea and China.

The data comes from a 2026 internet freedom index by Cloudwards, which evaluates national policies across four areas: torrenting, VPN availability, adult content, and political and civic expression.

Where Does the U.S. Rank?

The United States scores 64 out of 100, placing it in the global middle. It ranks alongside countries like Japan and Australia, and below top performers such as Norway (92) and Canada (84).

The UK scores even lower at 52, reflecting stricter regulations in areas like online content access.

The Freest Internet Access Worldwide

No country achieves a perfect score, but 11 countries across four continents share the top spot at 92.

These countries are Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Suriname, and Timor-Leste.

The data table below lists countries worldwide alongside their internet freedom scores.

European countries make up over half of this top echelon and are especially concentrated in the Nordics, where Sweden (80) is the only exception. The Nordic countries are widely known for their liberal, tolerant governments and societies.

Perhaps more surprising is the high placement of countries like Suriname and Timor-Leste, developing nations in South America and Asia that have nonetheless imposed minimal restrictions on social media use and online access.

The Bottom of the Scoreboard

On the other side of the spectrum is North Korea (0), where very few citizens have access to the global internet. Instead, most rely on the national intranet service, Kwangmyong, which filters out outside information.

Right behind North Korea are China and Russia, which tie with Iran and Pakistan for the next-lowest scores worldwide (4).

China’s Great Firewall is perhaps the world’s best-known censorship system, used to suppress criticism of the country’s leaders or content related to politically sensitive topics such as the Tiananmen Square protests. It also blocks access to foreign platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

Internet Access in the West

The United States (64) sits near the middle of the ranking, alongside developed democracies such as Australia, France, Germany, and Japan. The United Kingdom (52) scores slightly lower, with recent adult content legislation playing a role.

Across much of the Western world, scores remain relatively high, including in Canada (84), Ireland and Portugal (both 80), and Spain and Italy (both 72).

One notable outlier is South Korea (32), which ranks below countries like Cuba, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela (36), underscoring how content restrictions—not just political systems—shape internet freedom scores.

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If you enjoyed today’s post, check out A Day of Activity on the Internet on Voronoi.Use This Visualization

Mapped: Average Rent Across 100 U.S. Cities (2026)

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Rents across 100 U.S. cities range widely in 2026, from over $3,500 in the most expensive markets to around $1,200 in more affordable regions.

This map visualizes average monthly rent using Zillow’s Observed Rent Index (ZORI), via WalletHub. The data reflects smoothed, seasonally adjusted rents across all residential property types as of February 2026.

With the U.S. average at $1,843, renters in the most expensive cities are paying more than double the national benchmark.

California Accounts for Most of the Highest Rents

California cities dominate the upper end of the rental market, accounting for six of the 10 most expensive locations.

At $3,830 per month, San Francisco renters pay more than twice the national average, putting it at the top of the ranking alongside New York and Boston, where rents also exceed $3,500.

Other California cities like Irvine, San Jose, and San Diego also rank near the top. High demand, limited housing supply, and strong local economies continue to drive elevated prices across the state.

Coastal Premiums Remain Intact

Beyond California, other coastal cities also command high rents. New York City and Jersey City remain among the most expensive, reflecting their proximity to major job centers.

Miami has also emerged as one of the priciest markets in the Southeast, fueled by population growth and migration trends.

Affordability Concentrated in the Interior

In contrast, the most affordable rental markets are largely located in the Midwest and South.

In cities like Toledo, Wichita, and Tulsa, average rents remain near or below $1,200, roughly one-third the cost of renting in San Francisco. This gap highlights how location alone can dramatically change a renter’s cost of living, even within the same country.

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If you enjoyed today’s post, check out It Takes 25 Years to Save for a Home in California on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.