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Business Freedom By Country (Top 182 Countries)

Business Freedom

Business freedom is a state where people and businesses can do business without unnecessary limits, rules, or interference from the government or other outside forces. It is one of the primary ways to encourage economic growth, business, and innovation, as well as to create jobs and raise living standards.

Countries with much business freedom usually have suitable business environments, such as helpful legal and regulatory frameworks, efficient bureaucratic processes, access to financing, and strong protection of property rights. They also tend to have less crime and more openness, and starting and running a business in those places is easier.

Business freedom is a general measure of how well the government controls business. The numeric score is based on different evaluations of how hard it is to start, run, and close a business. The business freedom score for each country goes from 0 to 100. A score of 100 means that the work environment is the most free. The score is based on ten things.

Factors:

To measure business freedom, the Heritage Foundation ranked 182 countries around the world considering the following factors:

  • Minimum startup capital required (as a percentage of the average income).
  • Establishing a Business: Procedures
  • Days required to establish a business.
  • Cost (per-capita payment) required to launch a business;
  • Number of days required to obtain a request
  • Price as a proportion of per capita income
  • Closure of a business — duration (in years);
  • Cost (percentage of estate) of closing a business.
  • Recoupments from the cessation of businesses, in cents per dollar
  • Methods for acquiring a licence (number).

After placing each of these raw factors on a scale from 0 to 100, the mean of the new numbers is determined. The result shows where the country stands regarding how business-friendly it is. For example, a country may get a score of 90 based on the other nine factors, even though it has the toughest rules for starting a business, which gives it a score of 0.

Top Five Countries by Business Freedom:

1. Norway (Score: 95.2)

Norway is renowned for its business-friendly environment and high standard of business freedom. With a score of 95.2, It ranks first on the business freedom index. Moreover, Norway is home to one of the world’s most robust democracies. Power routinely shifts between parties, and elections are free and fair. Independent media and civil society actors hold the government accountable, respecting civil liberties. Nonetheless, the Roma and other marginalised groups continue to experience discrimination, which is problematic.

High flexibility and institutional qualities, such as robust property rights protection and an efficient legal system, are advantageous to Norway’s diversified and contemporary economy. Moreover, prudent and transparent regulations promote economic dynamism and an innovative, resilient business environment that is open to international trade.

Additionally, Norway has a robust social welfare system that assists workers and promotes entrepreneurship. For instance, the country offers a variety of programmes and initiatives to support businesses, such as tax incentives, access to financing, mentorship opportunities, and networking events. In addition, Norway’s emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy can create business opportunities in these sectors.

2. Denmark (Score-89.0)

Denmark is in second place with a score of 89.0. It is another country known for having a business-friendly environment and high business freedom. It is a strong democracy with free and fair elections that happen every time. The government protects everyone’s right to speak out and join groups, and the courts work independently. But it has been hard for Denmark to protect the basic rights of newcomers and foreigners.

Denmark is a good place for business because it has a stable and clear regulatory system, a strong dedication to the principles of a free market, and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The country is also known for having high social cohesion and trust, which can make it easier for businesses and other parties to work together.

A population with much education and flexibility also characterises Denmark’s labour market. In addition, the country’s strong social welfare system helps workers and pushes them to start their businesses. There is also a strong focus on work-life balance, which can improve workers’ health and productivity.

The Business Freedom Index for Denmark from the Heritage Foundation measures how easy it is to start, run, and close a business in a country. In addition, it shows how much regulation there is overall and how well the Danish government’s regulatory system works.

3. New Zealand (Score: 88.8)

New Zealand’s economy now ranks third in the 2023 Index with a business freedom score of 88.8. Last year, the number was almost two points higher. So, even though it is placed fourth out of 39 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand’s economy no longer counts as “free” in the Index. Instead, its score is better than the average score for the whole world.

New Zealand’s policy system has generally led to a strong economy. The rule of law is strong, and foreign business and trade are easy to get into. Foreign investors like New Zealand as a place to spend because it is open and safe.

New Zealand, which used to be a British colony, is one of the richest countries in the Asia-Pacific area. In New Zealand, the rule of law is very important. So, the country did better than the world average in all three categories: how well the courts work, how honest the government is, and how well property rights are protected.

Due to the government’s more top-down reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, high business freedom started to go the other way. A flexible set of labour rules makes it possible for the job market to be active, which boosts productivity as a whole. The most current rate of inflation that we know of is 3.9%.

More than 200 non-tariff measures are in place, and the average trade-weighted tax rate is 2.3%. We accept trade and investment from all over the world. The financial business has been around for a long time and offers a wide range of services. Unfortunately, the banking business is well-known and very competitive.

4. Australia (Score: 88.3)

Australia ranks fourth in business freedom by country. Since the Index began in 1995, it has been said that Australia is one of the countries with the most freedom for business. Also, the country has some of the top rankings in the world for how well its courts work, how honest its government is, how free businesses are, how free its money is, and how free its finances are.

Australia is an excellent place to do business because it has transparent and predictable rules, a stable political and economic climate, and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. In addition, the country has a highly educated workforce and a well-developed infrastructure, which can help businesses grow and give them access to global markets.

Australia’s law and regulatory system are made to protect property rights and uphold contracts, which can make the business environment more stable and predictable. The country also has several tax breaks and other programmes to help companies and small businesses, making it easier for new businesses to get started and help them grow.

Australia also has a very diverse economy and puts a lot of emphasis on foreign trade and investment, which can help businesses in many fields. In addition, the country is a member of several regional and global trade agreements, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Comprehensive & Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership which give businesses access to a wide range of markets and possibilities.

Government measures do not stop foreign investment in a big way. All banks are privately owned, and the financial industry has a lot of competition. Also, the exchange rate has been flexible to deal with any economic changes caused by the pandemic.

5. Canada (Score: 87.9)

Canada ranks fifth in business freedom by country. It is ranked first out of 32 countries in the Americas region, and its overall score is better than the average for the area and the standard for the whole world.

The roots of economic freedom are strong, and the economy has mostly recovered from the global recession. A good court system also keeps the rule of law in place by protecting property rights and following the business code. So Canada stays strong. It does well in other ways regarding economic freedom.

Canada has a strong economy. It is the second-largest country worldwide in terms of land size. Canada is a good place for business because it has a clear and predictable regulation system, a stable political and economic climate, and a culture that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, the country has a highly educated workforce and a well-developed infrastructure, which can help businesses grow and give them access to global markets.

Canada’s legal and regulatory system aims to protect property rights and uphold contracts, making the business environment more stable and predictable. The country also has several tax breaks and other programmes to help companies and small businesses, making it easier for new businesses to get started and help them grow.

Canada also has a very diverse economy and puts a lot of emphasis on foreign trade and investment, which can help businesses in many fields. In addition, the country is a member of several regional and global trade agreements, such as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which give businesses access to a wide range of markets and possibilities.

Both Canada and the US have economies that are built on the market. Some of the most important businesses are making cars and other things, making forest products, mining, and oil.

According to the Heritage Foundation, Here is a list of business freedom by country:

RankCountryBusiness Index Score
1Norway95.2
2Denmark89.0
3New Zealand88.8
4Australia88.3
5Canada87.9
6Ireland87.2
7Singapore86.9
8Luxembourg85.5
9Finland84.9
10Israel84.9
11South Korea84.8
12Sweden84.6
13Netherlands84.4
14Switzerland84.3
15Taiwan84.3
16United States83.8
17Iceland83.3
18Uruguay80.1
19Germany79.7
20Estonia79.4
21United Kingdom79.1
22Belgium79.0
23Austria78.5
24Japan78.3
25Latvia78.2
26France78.2
27United Arab Emirates77.0
28Czech Republic76.9
29Portugal76.2
30Lithuania76.0
31Mauritius76.0
32Slovenia75.9
33Chile75.7
34Malta75.5
35Spain75.2
36Cyprus74.9
37Poland74.8
38Serbia74.3
39North Macedonia74.1
40Costa Rica73.8
41Italy73.8
42Hungary73.5
43Vietnam73.4
44Peru72.8
45Brunei Darussalam72.4
46Mexico72.4
47Slovakia72.2
48Colombia72.2
49Croatia72.1
50Dominican Republic72.1
51Bulgaria71.8
52Saudi Arabia71.8
53Romania71.3
54Panama71.1
55Albania70.7
56Indonesia70.6
57Malaysia70.3
58Greece70.3
59Georgia69.8
60Saint Lucia69.6
61Paraguay69.5
62Barbados68.5
63Azerbaijan68.3
64China68.3
65Kosovo67.9
66Jamaica67.7
67Cabo Verde67.5
68Montenegro67.3
69Guyana67.1
70Bosnia and Herzegovina67.0
71Bahamas67.0
72Thailand66.6
73Mongolia66.4
74Philippines66.1
75Seychelles65.9
76Guatemala65.8
77Morocco65.3
78Botswana65.2
79Armenia64.9
80El Salvador64.7
81Kazakhstan64.6
82Trinidad and Tobago64.5
83South Africa64.5
84India64.3
85Bahrain64.0
86Ecuador64.0
87Dominica63.8
88Brazil63.6
89Bhutan63.0
90Fiji63.0
91Qatar62.4
92Samoa62.0
93Saint Vincent and the Grenadines61.8
94Oman61.8
95Kiribati61.2
96Honduras60.8
97Côte d’Ivoire60.6
98Moldova60.2
99Nepal60.1
100Jordan59.8
101Türkiye59.7
102Kuwait59.1
103Belize59.0
104Uzbekistan58.9
105Timor-Leste58.4
106Tajikistan56.8
107Bangladesh56.7
108Laos56.7
109Kyrgyz Republic56.1
110Namibia56.0
111Kenya56.0
112Tonga55.7
113Argentina55.5
114Bolivia55.1
115Russia54.8
116Cambodia54.4
117Tunisia54.4
118Sri Lanka54.4
119Nicaragua53.9
120Belarus53.7
121Algeria53.6
122Senegal53.5
123Ghana53.3
124Suriname52.8
125São Tomé and Príncipe52.6
126Micronesia52.5
127Rwanda51.8
128Togo51.2
129Egypt51.1
130Gambia50.5
131Tanzania50.1
132Gabon50.1
133Eswatini49.9
134Vanuatu49.8
135Comoros48.6
136Djibouti48.3
137Lebanon48.1
138Cameroon47.2
139Benin47.0
140Papua New Guinea46.7
141Uganda46.1
142Pakistan45.9
143Guinea45.4
144Solomon Islands45.0
145Maldives44.8
146Nigeria44.3
147Lesotho44.0
148Zambia43.9
149Iraq43.1
150Burma42.1
151Angola41.6
152Burkina Faso41.1
153Cuba41.1
154Mali40.5
155Zimbabwe39.8
156Ethiopia39.3
157Iran38.9
158Madagascar38.5
159Turkmenistan37.3
160Mozambique36.1
161Mauritania35.3
162Syria35.0
163Sierra Leone34.6
164Afghanistan34.6
165Niger34.5
166Malawi34.1
167Liberia34.1
168Equatorial Guinea33.5
169Haiti33.4
170Congo32.4
171DR Congo31.7
172Guinea-Bissau31.6
173Eritrea31.3
174Libya31.1
175Venezuela30.8
176Burundi30.6
177Chad28.4
178Yemen28.4
179Central African Republic26.5
180Somalia26.1
181Sudan25.4
182North Korea5.0

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