By MALILA Harris
NEW ZEALAND – In a recent survey of economic freedom, New Zealand has surpassed United States and Australia, ranking third in the world. In the survey conducted by the Fraser Institute in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore have earned first and second place respectively, and New Zealand the ranking behind it.
The 2010 report is based on data from 2008, and based on the parameters of economic policies and institutions of the countries whether those are supportive of economic freedom or not.
Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr says the freer economy, the more the growth and per capita income. He further adds NZ though retained the rank but overall economic development has been slipping since mid 90s.
The African nations scored the lowest where Zimbabwe slipped down the bottom, followed by Myanmar and Angola.
The average economic freedom index rose from 5.53 out of 10 in 1980 to 6.74 in 2007, but fell back to 6.67 in 2008.
The analysts say the highest level of economic freedom of countries result a better lifestyle for the people living there. The level of satisfaction, and individual freedom and greater life expectancy are more than poor economic freedom countries.
The people living in the greatest economic freedom get a life satisfaction of 7.5 out of 10 while in the bottom quartile report a life satisfaction as low as 4.7.
International rankings
1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. New Zealand
4. Switzerland
5. Chile
6. United States
7. Canada
8. Australia
9. Mauritius
10. United Kingdom
NEW ZEALAND – In a recent survey of economic freedom, New Zealand has surpassed United States and Australia, ranking third in the world. In the survey conducted by the Fraser Institute in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore have earned first and second place respectively, and New Zealand the ranking behind it.
The 2010 report is based on data from 2008, and based on the parameters of economic policies and institutions of the countries whether those are supportive of economic freedom or not.
Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr says the freer economy, the more the growth and per capita income. He further adds NZ though retained the rank but overall economic development has been slipping since mid 90s.
The African nations scored the lowest where Zimbabwe slipped down the bottom, followed by Myanmar and Angola.
The average economic freedom index rose from 5.53 out of 10 in 1980 to 6.74 in 2007, but fell back to 6.67 in 2008.
The analysts say the highest level of economic freedom of countries result a better lifestyle for the people living there. The level of satisfaction, and individual freedom and greater life expectancy are more than poor economic freedom countries.
The people living in the greatest economic freedom get a life satisfaction of 7.5 out of 10 while in the bottom quartile report a life satisfaction as low as 4.7.
International rankings
1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. New Zealand
4. Switzerland
5. Chile
6. United States
7. Canada
8. Australia
9. Mauritius
10. United Kingdom
September 20, 2010 | 0
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