Economic Freedom

The Determinants of Subnational Economic Freedom: An Analysis of Data for Seven Countries with Implications for Optimal Jurisdiction Size

— Jul 6, 2021

The Determinants of Subnational Economic Freedom: An Analysis of Data for Seven Countries with Implications for Optimal Jurisdiction Size is a new study that examines if there is an optimal size for a subnational jurisdiction (states and provinces) that will maximize economic freedom. Covering a total of 158 states and provinces in seven countries, this study finds that provinces and states such as Ontario, California and New York whose populations have grown beyond 9.5 million people tend to have higher levels of government spending, higher taxes and less flexible labour markets.

The Human Freedom Index 2020

— Dec 17, 2020

This year’s Human Freedom Index, which spotlights 162 countries, measures personal freedom—which includes freedom of movement, speech, assembly and religion—alongside economic freedom, the ability of individuals to make their own economic decisions without government or crony interference. New Zealand tops this year’s freedom index followed by Switzerland, Hong Kong, Denmark and Australia. The five least-free countries are (in descending order) Iran, Yemen, Venezuela, Sudan and Syria. Rankings for other significant countries include Canada (6th), Germany (9th), the United Kingdom and the United States (tied for 17th).

Economic Freedom of North America 2020

— Nov 17, 2020

This year's annual Economic Freedom of North America report, which measures government spending, taxation, labour market restrictions and other economic indicators, spotlights the 10 Canadian provinces, 50 U.S. states and 32 Mexican states.

Visit our interactive Economic Freedom of North America website

Economic Freedom of the World: 2020 Annual Report

— Sep 10, 2020

Economic Freedom of the World: 2020 Annual Report is the world’s premier measurement of economic freedom, ranking countries based on five areas—size of government, legal structure and property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade internationally, regulation of credit, labour and business. In this year’s report, which compares 162 countries and territories, Hong Kong is again number one and Canada (9th) trails the United States (6th).

View the Interactive Map, Graphs, and Dataset

An Open Letter to the People of Hong Kong

— Jul 3, 2020

An international group of think tanks from 35 nations and territories from around the world has penned an open letter condemning the actions of the Communist Party of China and supporting the people of Hong Kong. On Tuesday, China’s National People’s Congress passed its controversial national security law, which violates Hong Kong’s Basic Law and encroaches on the city’s freedoms and liberties. The letter, which details Hong Kong’s success since the Second World War in becoming one of the most prosperous, entrepreneurial, and freest places on earth, is signed by 37 member organizations of the Economic Freedom of the World Network, which is led by Canada’s Fraser Institute.

Women's Economic Rights—What's Changed and Why Does It Matter?

— Mar 5, 2020

Women's Economic Rights—What's Changed and Why Does It Matter? is a new study that highlights how women benefit when they enjoy the same economic rights as men, and tracks changes in economic freedom for women around the world from 2016 to 2018, the most recent year of comparable data. During that time, 83 countries improved women’s economic rights, while 54 countries imposed greater restrictions on women’s economic freedom.

Visit our Women and Progress website

The Human Freedom Index 2019

— Dec 18, 2019

The Human Freedom Index, 2019 finds that New Zealand is again the freest country in the world, followed by Switzerland and Hong Kong. Canada ranks 4th globally, and the United States ranks 15th in this year’s report. The index ranks 162 countries and jurisdictions based on 76 indicators of personal, civil and economic freedoms and is a joint project with the Cato Institute in the U.S. and Germany’s Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.