Last updated September 18, 2024
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:
Ranked in World
#42
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#152
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#127
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#73
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#40
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#8
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#21
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#125
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#37
Ranked in World
#142
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#140
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#50
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#108
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#23
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#63
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#75
Ranked in World
#98
Ranked in World
#91
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#68
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#52
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#77
Ranked in World
#115
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#44
Ranked in World
#99
Ranked in World
#156
Ranked in World
#113
Ranked in World
#144
Ranked in World
#6
Ranked in World
#146
Ranked in World
#149
Ranked in World
#28
Ranked in World
#148
Ranked in World
#88
Ranked in World
#128
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#36
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#41
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#29
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#24
Ranked in World
#145
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#3
Ranked in World
#135
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#53
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#71
Ranked in World
#159
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#72
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#4
Ranked in World
#138
Ranked in World
#130
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#74
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#7
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#34
Ranked in World
#104
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#96
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#39
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#17
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#69
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#55
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#64
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#136
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#70
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#79
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#85
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#30
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#58
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#12
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#117
Ranked in World
#84
Ranked in World
#158
Ranked in World
#155
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#5
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#61
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#26
Ranked in World
#94
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#51
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#16
Ranked in World
#93
Ranked in World
#105
Ranked in World
#107
Ranked in World
#119
Ranked in World
#80
Ranked in World
#134
Ranked in World
#22
Ranked in World
#106
Ranked in World
#89
Ranked in World
#102
Ranked in World
#154
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#20
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#10
Ranked in World
#87
Ranked in World
#90
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#81
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#122
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#27
Ranked in World
#141
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#45
Ranked in World
#92
Ranked in World
#60
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#46
Ranked in World
#54
Ranked in World
#133
Ranked in World
#103
Ranked in World
#139
Ranked in World
#65
Ranked in World
#83
Ranked in World
#11
Ranked in World
#2
Ranked in World
#123
Ranked in World
#116
Ranked in World
#121
Ranked in World
#57
Ranked in World
#13
Ranked in World
#131
Ranked in World
#143
Ranked in World
#43
Ranked in World
#82
Ranked in World
#67
Ranked in World
#49
Ranked in World
#100
Ranked in World
#48
Ranked in World
#18
Ranked in World
#126
Ranked in World
#150
Ranked in World
#35
Ranked in World
#124
Ranked in World
#118
Ranked in World
#153
Ranked in World
#86
Ranked in World
#66
Ranked in World
#56
Ranked in World
#109
Ranked in World
#47
Ranked in World
#38
Ranked in World
#32
Ranked in World
#157
Ranked in World
#76
Ranked in World
#31
Ranked in World
#25
Ranked in World
#110
Ranked in World
#160
Ranked in World
#62
Ranked in World
#9
Ranked in World
#1
Ranked in World
#163
Ranked in World
#19
Ranked in World
#151
Ranked in World
#112
Ranked in World
#95
Ranked in World
#78
Ranked in World
#111
Ranked in World
#59
Ranked in World
#114
Ranked in World
#137
Ranked in World
#120
Ranked in World
#97
Ranked in World
#129
Ranked in World
#14
Ranked in World
#15
Ranked in World
#33
Ranked in World
#162
Ranked in World
#132
Ranked in World
#161
Ranked in World
#101
Ranked in World
#147
Region ↕ | Human Freedom Index↕ |
---|---|
8.14 | |
5.26 | |
6.09 | |
7.38 | |
8.20 | |
8.84 | |
8.67 | |
6.16 | |
8.22 | |
5.73 | |
5.75 | |
7.92 | |
6.73 | |
8.61 | |
7.64 | |
7.32 | |
6.86 | |
6.94 | |
7.54 | |
7.90 | |
7.22 | |
6.46 | |
8.08 | |
6.85 | |
5.02 | |
6.47 | |
5.63 | |
8.85 | |
5.62 | |
5.57 | |
8.44 | |
5.57 | |
7.01 | |
6.07 | |
8.25 | |
8.16 | |
8.42 | |
8.61 | |
5.62 | |
8.98 | |
5.84 | |
7.88 | |
7.43 | |
4.49 | |
7.39 | |
8.91 | |
5.79 | |
5.95 | |
7.36 | |
8.85 | |
8.34 | |
6.80 | |
6.88 | |
8.20 | |
8.73 | |
7.49 | |
7.86 | |
7.63 | |
5.82 | |
7.49 | |
7.21 | |
7.09 | |
8.41 | |
7.73 | |
8.77 | |
6.39 | |
7.10 | |
4.53 | |
5.02 | |
8.90 | |
7.66 | |
8.49 | |
6.90 | |
7.91 | |
8.73 | |
6.91 | |
6.77 | |
6.73 | |
6.34 | |
7.18 | |
5.85 | |
8.67 | |
6.76 | |
7.01 | |
6.81 | |
5.05 | |
8.68 | |
8.80 | |
7.02 | |
6.99 | |
7.17 | |
6.25 | |
8.45 | |
5.73 | |
8.07 | |
6.92 | |
7.68 | |
8.00 | |
7.88 | |
5.90 | |
6.80 | |
5.78 | |
7.56 | |
7.12 | |
8.78 | |
9.01 | |
6.24 | |
6.41 | |
6.28 | |
7.75 | |
8.76 | |
5.92 | |
5.63 | |
8.12 | |
7.17 | |
7.54 | |
7.93 | |
6.83 | |
7.96 | |
8.69 | |
6.15 | |
5.55 | |
8.33 | |
6.23 | |
6.36 | |
5.12 | |
7.07 | |
7.54 | |
7.84 | |
6.70 | |
7.98 | |
8.21 | |
8.37 | |
4.93 | |
7.30 | |
8.39 | |
8.56 | |
6.58 | |
4.48 | |
7.64 | |
8.83 | |
9.11 | |
3.66 | |
8.68 | |
5.52 | |
6.48 | |
6.89 | |
7.22 | |
6.50 | |
7.70 | |
6.46 | |
5.79 | |
6.32 | |
6.86 | |
6.06 | |
8.75 | |
8.73 | |
8.36 | |
4.03 | |
5.90 | |
4.08 | |
6.82 | |
5.60 |