2012 Index of Economic Freedom

About The Index

A Step Backward for Economic Freedom in 2012

The world economy is in trouble, and governments are making things worse. Here's the story, right out of the pages of the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom... Continue reading Dr. Edwin J Feulner's Wall Street Journal OpEd

When institutions protect the liberty of individuals, greater prosperity results for all.

Economist Adam Smith formed this theory in his influential work, The Wealth of Nations, in 1776. In 2012, his theory is measured – and proven – in the Index of Economic Freedom, an annual guide published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington's No. 1 think tank.

For over a decade, The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington's preeminent think tank, have tracked the march of economic freedom around the world with the influential Index of Economic Freedom. Since 1995, the Index has brought Smith's theories about liberty, prosperity and economic freedom to life by creating 10 benchmarks that gauge the economic success of 184 countries around the world. With its user-friendly format, readers can see how 18th century theories on prosperity and economic freedom are realities in the 21st century.

The Index covers 10 freedoms – from property rights to entrepreneurship – in 184 countries.

Experts

Index authors and expert analysts are available for media interviews and speaking events.

Press Releases

Photos

Thomas A. Saunders III (right), chairman of The Heritage Foundation, and Heritage President Edwin J. Feulner (left) present the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom to the Hon. Donald Tsang, chief executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Jan. 12 in Hong Kong.

From the left: Hugo Restall, editorial page editor of The Wall Street Journal Asia, Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, and the Hon. Donald Tsang, chief executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, delivers the Index launch remarks in Hong Kong on January 12, 2012.

Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, delivers the Index launch remarks in Hong Kong on January 12, 2012.

From the left: Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, Hugo Restall, editorial page editor of The Wall Street Journal Asia, and Ambassador Terry Miller, co-author of the Index and Director of Center for International Trade and Economics, The Heritage Foundation.

From the left: Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, Hugo Restall, editorial page editor of The Wall Street Journal Asia, and Ambassador Terry Miller, co-author of the Index and Director of Center for International Trade and Economics, The Heritage Foundation.

Ambassador Terry Miller, Co-author of the Index and Director of Center for International Trade and Economics, The Heritage Foundation, answers follow-up questions from the audience after the Index launch event in Hong Kong on January 12, 2012.

Heritage Media Contacts

  • Matt Streit
    • Director, Broadcast Services
    • work: 202.608.6156
    • cell: 202.439.0271
  • Jim Weidman
    • Director, Editorial Services
    • work: 202.608.6145
    • cell: 202.215.1001

Heritage Research Contacts

  • Anthony Kim

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