Freedom is an integral, yet often overlooked aspect of our daily lives. It shapes our lives, cultures, economies, and even our happiness. But the extent of personal and economic freedom varies greatly around the world, reflecting differences in political ideologies, legal systems, and cultural attitudes. The Human Freedom Index, a measure provided by the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute, provides an annual assessment of the state of human freedom in the world, ranking 162 countries across various areas such as the rule of law, security, freedom of expression, and economic freedom. Key findings from the recent Human Freedom Index include:
Topping the latest rankings is Switzerland, solidifying its position as the most free country in the world. With a Human Freedom Index score of 9.11, this relatively small nation demonstrates a profound commitment to the preservation of both personal and economic freedoms. Following closely behind, New Zealand ranks second with a score of 9.01. This island nation in the Pacific is distinguished by its strong democratic principles, widespread civil liberties, and a deep respect for the rule of law. Cracking the top three, Denmark comes in with a freedom score of 8.98. Known for its high standards of living and efficient social security system. Estonia ranks fourth with a score of 8.91 on the Human Freedom Index. Despite its tumultuous history, the Baltic nation has made large strides in securing personal freedoms and operating a transparent government. The Republic of Ireland, with a score of 8.90, occupies the fifth spot. The North American giant, Canada, ranked sixth on this list with a score of 8.85. Finland, another Nordic nation known for its comprehensive welfare state and promotion of civil liberties, shares the same score as Canada, sitting jointly at sixth place. Australia ranks eighth with a score of 8.84. As a thriving democratic state, Australia maintains strong protections for civil liberties and has a vibrant culture of freedom. Sweden almost mirrors Australia with a score of 8.83, securing it the ninth spot on the list. Like other Scandinavian countries, Sweden emphasizes individual freedoms and upholds democratic values. Finally, Luxembourg, with its score of 8.80, completes the top 10. Despite its small size, Luxembourg showcases a strong commitment to personal and economic freedom. 10 Most Free Countries are:
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Region ↕ | Human Freedom Index ↕ |
---|---|
Albania | 8.14 |
Algeria | 5.26 |
Angola | 6.09 |
Argentina | 7.38 |
Armenia | 8.20 |
Australia | 8.84 |
Austria | 8.67 |
Azerbaijan | 6.16 |
Bahamas | 8.22 |
Bahrain | 5.73 |
Bangladesh | 5.75 |
Barbados | 7.92 |
Belarus | 6.73 |
Belgium | 8.61 |
Belize | 7.64 |
Benin | 7.32 |
Bhutan | 6.86 |
Bolivia | 6.94 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 7.54 |
Botswana | 7.90 |
Brazil | 7.22 |
Brunei | 6.46 |
Bulgaria | 8.08 |
Burkina Faso | 6.85 |
Burundi | 5.02 |
Cambodia | 6.47 |
Cameroon | 5.63 |
Canada | 8.85 |
Central African Republic | 5.62 |
Chad | 5.57 |
Chile | 8.44 |
China | 5.57 |
Colombia | 7.01 |
Comoros | 6.07 |
Costa Rica | 8.25 |
Croatia | 8.16 |
Cyprus | 8.42 |
Czech Republic | 8.61 |
DR Congo | 5.62 |
Denmark | 8.98 |
Djibouti | 5.84 |
Dominican Republic | 7.88 |
Ecuador | 7.43 |
Egypt | 4.49 |
El Salvador | 7.39 |
Estonia | 8.91 |
Eswatini | 5.79 |
Ethiopia | 5.95 |
Fiji | 7.36 |
Finland | 8.85 |
France | 8.34 |
Gabon | 6.80 |
Gambia | 6.88 |
Georgia | 8.20 |
Germany | 8.73 |
Ghana | 7.49 |
Greece | 7.86 |
Guatemala | 7.63 |
Guinea | 5.82 |
Guyana | 7.49 |
Haiti | 7.21 |
Honduras | 7.09 |
Hong Kong | 8.41 |
Hungary | 7.73 |
Iceland | 8.77 |
India | 6.39 |
Indonesia | 7.10 |
Iran | 4.53 |
Iraq | 5.02 |
Ireland | 8.90 |
Israel | 7.66 |
Italy | 8.49 |
Ivory Coast | 6.90 |
Jamaica | 7.91 |
Japan | 8.73 |
Jordan | 6.91 |
Kazakhstan | 6.77 |
Kenya | 6.73 |
Kuwait | 6.34 |
Kyrgyzstan | 7.18 |
Laos | 5.85 |
Latvia | 8.67 |
Lebanon | 6.76 |
Lesotho | 7.01 |
Liberia | 6.81 |
Libya | 5.05 |
Lithuania | 8.68 |
Luxembourg | 8.80 |
Madagascar | 7.02 |
Malawi | 6.99 |
Malaysia | 7.17 |
Mali | 6.25 |
Malta | 8.45 |
Mauritania | 5.73 |
Mauritius | 8.07 |
Mexico | 6.92 |
Moldova | 7.68 |
Mongolia | 8.00 |
Montenegro | 7.88 |
Morocco | 5.90 |
Mozambique | 6.80 |
Myanmar | 5.78 |
Namibia | 7.56 |
Nepal | 7.12 |
Netherlands | 8.78 |
New Zealand | 9.01 |
Nicaragua | 6.24 |
Niger | 6.41 |
Nigeria | 6.28 |
North Macedonia | 7.75 |
Norway | 8.76 |
Oman | 5.92 |
Pakistan | 5.63 |
Panama | 8.12 |
Papua New Guinea | 7.17 |
Paraguay | 7.54 |
Peru | 7.93 |
Philippines | 6.83 |
Poland | 7.96 |
Portugal | 8.69 |
Qatar | 6.15 |
Republic of the Congo | 5.55 |
Romania | 8.33 |
Russia | 6.23 |
Rwanda | 6.36 |
Saudi Arabia | 5.12 |
Senegal | 7.07 |
Serbia | 7.54 |
Seychelles | 7.84 |
Sierra Leone | 6.70 |
Singapore | 7.98 |
Slovakia | 8.21 |
Slovenia | 8.37 |
Somalia | 4.93 |
South Africa | 7.30 |
South Korea | 8.39 |
Spain | 8.56 |
Sri Lanka | 6.58 |
Sudan | 4.48 |
Suriname | 7.64 |
Sweden | 8.83 |
Switzerland | 9.11 |
Syria | 3.66 |
Taiwan | 8.68 |
Tajikistan | 5.52 |
Tanzania | 6.48 |
Thailand | 6.89 |
Timor Leste | 7.22 |
Togo | 6.50 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 7.70 |
Tunisia | 6.46 |