February 2010

Index of Economic Freedom: Switzerland has Europe’s second freest economy, gains three places

Switzerland is one of the most economically free countries in the world. It is ranked sixth in the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom. According to the 2010 assessment, Switzerland gained 3 ranks compared to 2009.

Hong Kong came out on top; Singapore is ranked second whilst Australia is third. In the overall ranking Switzerland is in sixth place. In Europe, the country of the Greater Zurich Area is second only to Ireland.

Switzerland owes its great result to high scores in various criteria, such as freedom of investment, property rights and freedom from corruption, as well as the country’s achievements in the fields of freedom of trade or labor market. Switzerland’s outstanding results in the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom emphasize the importance of a reliable and liberal economic policy.

The2010 Index is conducted by The Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal. It ranks 179 countries according to ten specific criteria in the fields of investment, competitiveness and rule of law.

www.heritage.org

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