From Economist.com
HONG KONG keeps its top position in the Economic Freedom Index compiled by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think-tank. The index ranks the policies of 141 countries according to how much they encourage free trade, both internally and with other territories. Countries with fewer taxes, strong property rights, low regulation and sound money score best. Britain and America tie with Canada for fifth place in the list. Germany is ranked 18th—on a par with El Salvador but above Japan. Most of the low-ranking countries are African, except Myanmar and Venezuela, which are both in the bottom ten.