2009 Liberty Index

Almost a year ago I posted a ranking of states by the degree of liberty which citizens of that country enjoy.  I've updated that ranking as shown by the below map.  I also slightly tweaked what measures are included and how they are weighted, which accounts for the dramatic difference in small island nations (and Hong Kong) from the original ranking.  As a note, this is not a ranking of democracy or political rights.  It is simply a ranking of individual liberty, both social and economic.



10 Most Liberal Places in the World:
1.  Hong Kong
2.  New Zealand
4.  Switzerland
4.  Australia
5.  Ireland
6.  Canada
7.  Finland
8.  Chile
9.  United Kingdom
10. Iceland

10 Most Statist Places in the World:
1.  North Korea
2.  Zimbabwe
3.  Myanmar
4.  Cuba
5.  Turkmenistan
6.  Eritrea
7.  Libya
8.  Uzbekistan
9.  Syria
10. Democratic Republic of Congo