The U.S. is known as the land of the free, and while U.S. citizens enjoy considerable freedoms, they lack many notable rights granted to citizens of other countries, including decriminalized drug possession, universal healthcare, and paid parental leave. Here are 17 freedoms that Americans lack.
Universal Healthcare
Many countries, notably Canada and the United Kingdom, offer universal healthcare to all, funded through taxes. Medical services are accessible without direct costs at the point of use, with a wide range of healthcare services, including preventative care, available to all regardless of income. In contrast, the U.S. healthcare system is a mix of publicly funded and privately financed coverage that often ties health insurance to employment and can incur significant out-of-pocket expenses for individuals. A report from The Commonwealth Fund reveals that the U.S. has the “worst health outcomes overall of any high-income nation.”
Paid Parental Leave
Scandinavian nations like Sweden and Denmark are known for providing extensive paid parental leave, allowing parents to take time off work to care for their newborns without losing their income. The U.S. lacks a federal mandate for paid parental leave, leaving many new parents to limit their time off or risk financial hardship.
Free or Subsidized Higher Education
Germany and Norway are two examples of countries that offer free or heavily subsidized education to their citizens, making higher education accessible to all socioeconomic classes and reducing student debt. In contrast, the U.S. has high tuition costs that are seen as a barrier for some, leaving many graduates with tens of thousands of dollars in student debt.
Strict Privacy Laws
General Data Protection Regulation provides EU citizens with substantial control over their personal data, setting a high standard for privacy rights. These laws include the right to be forgotten and protection against data breaches, emphasizing individual privacy over corporate interests. Endpoint Protector argues that “GDPR arguably sets the standard for data privacy worldwide.” The U.S. has a more fragmented approach to privacy protection. Varying laws at the state level and a lack of comprehensive federal regulations expose the “lack of a true privacy-first approach in America’s disparate data privacy regulations.”
Voter Turnout Encouragement
Nations such as Australia enforce compulsory voting, ensuring widespread democratic participation and high voter turnout rates. The U.S. sees a lower voter turnout due in part to non-compulsory voting and other barriers to registration. Over the past decade, there have been proposals to make Election Day a holiday to increase participation. Forbes reported on Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduction of legislation to “add Election Day to the list of federally recognized holidays,” but there is no guarantee of the initiative required to pass such a law.
Decriminalization of Drug Use
Czechia and Portugal have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use, instead turning their focus to treatment and harm reduction rather than incarceration. This approach has lowered the number of drug-related deaths, reduced HIV/AIDS rates, and reduced strain on the criminal justice system. In contrast, the U.S. maintains a primarily punitive approach to drug possession that contributes to high incarceration rates. Oregon notably decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs in 2021. But as the Wall Street Journal reported, many Oregonians have not been pleased with the results of decriminalization.
Right to Disconnect
France and Spain have promoted work-life balance by passing laws allowing employees to disconnect from work-related emails and communications during off-hours. This legislation acknowledges the importance of rest and personal time, reducing burnout and improving overall well-being. In contrast, the U.S. work market often expects constant availability, blurring the lines between work and personal life.
Environmentally Protected Rights
Countries including Bolivia and Ecuador have granted nature certain legal rights, recognizing the environment’s right to exist, persist, and regenerate its vital cycles. The U.S. lacks legal frameworks prioritizing long-term ecological well-being over short-term economic gains. Environmental policy in the U.S. focuses on conservation and resource management without explicitly granting rights to the natural world.
Multilingual Services
Switzerland and Belgium, known for their multilingual populations, provide government services in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility and inclusiveness. In contrast, the U.S. dominantly operates in English, which can create barriers for non-English speaking residents. However, according to LawHelp.org, language access services are available at federal, state, and local courts that receive federal funding, as well as at the Social Security Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Public Broadcasting Funding
The U.K. and Japan heavily invest in public broadcasting, for the BBC and NHK, respectively, to ensure that media outlets can operate independently of commercial pressures and political influence. This funding supports diverse programming, including news, education, and entertainment. The U.S. provides relatively limited funding for public broadcasting, leading to a heavier reliance on commercial and private funding, potentially influencing newspaper and mainstream media content.
Legal Prostitution
The Netherlands and New Zealand have legalized and regulated prostitution to improve the safety and rights of sex workers. This regulation includes access to social services for sex workers and health and safety standards. Prostitution is legal in Nevada and decriminalized in Maine, but it is illegal across the vast majority of the U.S. due to state laws.
Mandatory Vacation Days
European countries typically guarantee between 20 and 30 days of annual paid vacation, ensuring that employees have access to a work-life balance and contributing to employee well-being and productivity. FactorialHR reports that “the USA has no national requirement for paid holidays, vacation days or paid sick days. Instead, businesses rely on creating their own PTO policies.”
Fair Electoral Representation
New Zealand, among other countries, uses proportional representation, an electoral system that sees the distribution of seats closely correspond with the proportion of the total votes for each party. Similar systems, like mixed-member proportional representation in Germany, ensure that electoral outcomes more accurately reflect the popular vote. The U.S. favors a winner-take-all electoral system, leading to disproportionate representation and marginalized minority parties.
Right to Die
Australia and New Zealand both have legal access to a form of assisted dying, with strict regulations and safeguards to ensure informed consent and prevent abuse. California, Oregon, and Washington legalized physician-assisted suicide of terminally ill, mentally incompetent adults, but the U.S. lacks a federal right to assisted dying.
Bicycle-Friendly Infrastructure
The Netherlands is renowned for its extensive bicycle infrastructure, promoting cycling as a safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. The Netherlands offers dedicated bike lanes, parking facilities, and integration with public transportation, making cycling an integral part of urban planning. While some cities across the U.S. are becoming more friendly to cyclists, the country lacks comprehensive infrastructure to support widespread bicycle use.
Traffic Laws
Every public road has a speed limit in the U.S. Germany allows drivers to go as fast as they like on most portions of its Autobahn system, but their liability may increase with their speed in the case of car accidents. In addition, the Isle of Man has no national speed limit, but built-up areas usually feature a speed limit of 30 mph.
Gun Control Measures
According to Everytown, “the gun homicide rate in the U.S. is 26 times higher than that of other developed countries.” In countries like Australia and Japan, which have stringent gun control laws, there are fewer mass shootings compared to the U.S. The strong gun culture and high levels of gun ownership in the U.S. contribute to higher levels of gun violence.
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