Photo: City of Helsinki Media Bank / Comma Image Oy.
Finland has been ranked 3rd in the 2015 Human Freedom Index.
Altogether 152 countries around the world were assessed by public-policy think tanks the Cato Institute, the Fraser Institute (Canada) and the Liberales Institut (Germany).
The index weighed up 76 indicators of personal, civil and economic freedoms, drawing on data from 2008 to 2012. Restrictions on voluntary exchange were measured, along with freedom of speech, religion and association. Freedoms of movement, women and economy were also taken into account, as well as safety, security and the rule of law.
Hong Kong topped the overall rankings, followed by Switzerland in second position. Denmark and New Zealand rounded out the top five.
According to the index, citizens of Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iran have the most restrictions placed upon their civil liberties.
Article first published at www.goodnewsfinland.com.
