Business Freedom By Country January 2023

The Business Freedom Index is a comprehensive measure that evaluates the degree of business freedom and the regulatory environment in different countries. It assesses factors such as business regulations, ease of starting a business, property rights protection, and other related indicators. This index provides valuable insights into the business climate and entrepreneurial opportunities available in various economies.

As of January 2020, Hong Kong secured the first position in the Business Freedom Index with a score of 96.2, indicating a high level of business freedom and favorable regulatory conditions. The United Kingdom followed closely in second place with a score of 94.7, while Taiwan claimed the third spot with a score of 93.9. These countries exhibited a conducive business environment and supportive policies for entrepreneurship.

Conversely, countries such as Cuba, Eritrea, and North Korea ranked at the bottom of the index with significantly lower scores. These countries faced substantial challenges in terms of business freedom and regulatory restrictions, hindering entrepreneurial activities and business development.

In January 2021, the United Kingdom maintained its leading position with a score of 94.4, highlighting its commitment to fostering a favorable business environment. Singapore closely followed with a score of 93.8, demonstrating its conducive regulatory climate for businesses. Taiwan secured the third position with a score of 93.4, continuing to provide a supportive environment for entrepreneurship.

Similarly, in January 2022, Norway claimed the first position with a remarkable score of 91.4 in the Business Freedom Index. Luxembourg followed closely with a score of 89.3, while Denmark secured the third spot with a score of 89. These countries showcased favorable conditions for businesses to thrive and grow.

Looking ahead to January 2023, Norway maintained its top ranking with an even higher score of 95.2, indicating its strong commitment to business freedom. Denmark retained the second position with a score of 89, and New Zealand claimed the third spot with a score of 88.8. These countries continued to provide a supportive environment for businesses, attracting investment and fostering entrepreneurship.

Conversely, countries such as Somalia, Sudan, and North Korea faced significant challenges in terms of business freedom and regulatory conditions. These countries recorded lower scores in the index, reflecting the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs and businesses operating within their borders.

Monitoring the Business Freedom Index provides valuable insights into the regulatory environment and business climate in different countries. It helps policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs assess the level of business freedom and make informed decisions regarding investment, expansion, and market entry.

Business Freedom By Country January 2023 (Index, January 2023)

Rank	Country	Index
1	Norway	95.2
2	Denmark	89
3	New Zealand	88.8
4	Australia	88.3
5	Canada	87.9
6	Ireland	87.2
7	Singapore	86.9
8	Luxembourg	85.5
9	Finland	84.9
9	Israel	84.9
10	South Korea	84.8
11	Sweden	84.6
12	Netherlands	84.4
13	Switzerland	84.3
13	Taiwan	84.3
14	United States	83.8
15	Iceland	83.3
16	Uruguay	80.1
17	Germany	79.7
18	Estonia	79.4
19	United Kingdom	79.1
20	Belgium	79
21	Austria	78.5
22	Japan	78.3
23	France	78.2
23	Latvia	78.2
24	United Arab Emirates	77
25	Czech Republic	76.9
26	Portugal	76.2
27	Mauritius	76
27	Lithuania	76
28	Slovenia	75.9
29	Chile	75.7
30	Malta	75.5
31	Spain	75.2
32	Cyprus	74.9
33	Poland	74.8
34	Serbia	74.3
35	North Macedonia	74.1
36	Italy	73.8
36	Costa Rica	73.8
37	Hungary	73.5
38	Vietnam	73.4
39	Peru	72.8
40	Brunei	72.4
40	Mexico	72.4
41	Colombia	72.2
41	Slovakia	72.2
42	Croatia	72.1
42	Dominican Republic	72.1
43	Bulgaria	71.8
43	Saudi Arabia	71.8
44	Romania	71.3
45	Panama	71.1
46	Albania	70.7
47	Indonesia	70.6
48	Greece	70.3
48	Malaysia	70.3
49	Georgia	69.8
50	Saint Lucia	69.6
51	Paraguay	69.5
52	Barbados	68.5
53	Azerbaijan	68.3
53	China	68.3
54	Kosovo	67.9
55	Jamaica	67.7
56	Cape Verde	67.5
57	Montenegro	67.3
58	Guyana	67.1
59	Bosnia and Herzegovina	67
59	Bahamas	67
60	Thailand	66.6
61	Mongolia	66.4
62	Philippines	66.1
63	Seychelles	65.9
64	Guatemala	65.8
65	Morocco	65.3
66	Botswana	65.2
67	Armenia	64.9
68	El Salvador	64.7
69	Kazakhstan	64.6
70	South Africa	64.5
70	Trinidad and Tobago	64.5
71	India	64.3
72	Bahrain	64
72	Ecuador	64
73	Dominica	63.8
74	Brazil	63.6
75	Fiji	63
75	Bhutan	63
76	Qatar	62.4
77	Samoa	62
78	Oman	61.8
78	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	61.8
79	Kiribati	61.2
80	Honduras	60.8
81	Ivory Coast	60.6
82	Moldova	60.2
83	Nepal	60.1
84	Jordan	59.8
85	Turkey	59.7
86	Kuwait	59.1
87	Belize	59
88	Uzbekistan	58.9
89	Timor-Leste	58.4
90	Tajikistan	56.8
91	Bangladesh	56.7
91	Laos	56.7
92	Kyrgyzstan	56.1
93	Kenya	56
93	Namibia	56
94	Tonga	55.7
95	Argentina	55.5
96	Bolivia	55.1
97	Russia	54.8
98	Cambodia	54.4
98	Sri Lanka	54.4
98	Tunisia	54.4
99	Nicaragua	53.9
100	Belarus	53.7
101	Algeria	53.6
102	Senegal	53.5
103	Ghana	53.3
104	Suriname	52.8
105	Sao Tome and Principe	52.6
106	Micronesia	52.5
107	Rwanda	51.8
108	Togo	51.2
109	Egypt	51.1
110	Gambia	50.5
111	Gabon	50.1
111	Tanzania	50.1
112	Eswatini	49.9
113	Vanuatu	49.8
114	Comoros	48.6
115	Djibouti	48.3
116	Lebanon	48.1
117	Cameroon	47.2
118	Benin	47
119	Papua New Guinea	46.7
120	Uganda	46.1
121	Pakistan	45.9
122	Guinea	45.4
123	Solomon Islands	45
124	Maldives	44.8
125	Nigeria	44.3
126	Lesotho	44
127	Zambia	43.9
128	Iraq	43.1
129	Myanmar	42.1
130	Angola	41.6
131	Burkina Faso	41.1
131	Cuba	41.1
132	Mali	40.5
133	Zimbabwe	39.8
134	Ethiopia	39.3
135	Iran	38.9
136	Madagascar	38.5
137	Turkmenistan	37.3
138	Mozambique	36.1
139	Mauritania	35.3
140	Syria	35
141	Afghanistan	34.6
141	Sierra Leone	34.6
142	Niger	34.5
143	Liberia	34.1
143	Malawi	34.1
144	Equatorial Guinea	33.5
145	Haiti	33.4
146	Republic of the Congo	32.4
147	DR Congo	31.7
148	Guinea-Bissau	31.6
149	Eritrea	31.3
150	Libya	31.1
151	Venezuela	30.8
152	Burundi	30.6
153	Chad	28.4
153	Yemen	28.4
154	Central African Republic	26.5
155	Somalia	26.1
156	Sudan	25.4
157	North Korea	5