American Research Center The Heritage Foundation and the newspaper The Wall Street Journal published an Index of Economic Freedom - ranking of countries in terms of economic independence from the state interference. The most economically free country was named Hong Kong, the second place went to Singapore, the third position was left for Australia.
Countries were assessed in terms of "government interference or obstruction of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, except for the necessary protection and assistance to citizens freedom itself." The rating is compiled annually since 1995.
In the ranking of 185 countries Russia ranks 139th, Bulgaria - 60th and the highest places among the European nations - the fifth and ninth - were taken by Switzerland and Denmark.
Ranking of countries with the freest economies:
1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. Australia
4. New Zealand
5. Switzerland
6. Canada
7. Chile
8. Mauritius
9. Denmark
10. USA