Freest Countries

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:

• Switzerland, famed for its strict neutrality and robust legal system, topped the Human Freedom Index with a score of 9.11, demonstrating high standards of both personal and economic freedom.
• The United States – traditionally seen as the "land of the free" – ranked 15th on the list, with a score of 8.73, suggesting room for improvement, especially in the areas of personal safety, legal system and property rights.
• Noticeably, many countries with high rankings were small to medium-sized Western democracies such as New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Canada, and Australia. These countries commonly share key characteristics such as robust democratic institutions, respect for civil liberties and the rule of law.
• At the other end of spectrum, conflict afflicted nations such as Yemen, Sudan, Venezuela and Syria demonstrated the lowest levels of human freedom, reflecting the impact of war, authoritarian regimes, and political instability.
• China, the world's most populous country, scored fairly low at 5.57 reflecting limitations on personal freedom, tightly controlled media, and lack of political rights.

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:

1. Switzerland - 9.11
2. New Zealand - 9.01
3. Denmark - 8.98
4. Estonia - 8.91
5. Ireland - 8.90
6. Canada - 8.85
7. Finland - 8.85
8. Australia - 8.84
9. Sweden - 8.83
10. Luxembourg - 8.80

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.