Singapore tops economic freedom but ranks 77th in personal freedom in latest Human Freedom Index

According to the latest 2023 Human Freedom Index (HFI) published by the U.S.-based Cato Institute and Canada-based Fraser Institute, Singapore is ranked first in economic freedom but placed 77th in personal freedom among 165 jurisdictions worldwide.

The index, compiled by these institutes and covering 165 jurisdictions for 2021, showcased Switzerland’s consistent top position for the fourth consecutive year, securing a score of 9.01.

Following closely were New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, Estonia, and Sweden (tied for fifth), Iceland, Luxembourg, Finland, and Norway.

Regarding specific freedom categories, Singapore excelled in economic freedom, securing the top rank among 165 jurisdictions with a score of 8.56.

However, in terms of personal freedom, it scored 7.17.

Singapore’s personal freedom scores trail behind Switzerland’s remarkably higher ratings in key categories

Delving into personal freedom indicators, Singapore scored only 5 in association, assembly, and civil society, and 4.4 in expression and information.

In stark contrast, Switzerland demonstrated significantly higher scores, achieving 9.6 and 9.9, respectively, in the same subcategories.

The assessment of association, assembly, and civil society scrutinizes various facets, encompassing the liberty of civil society organizations to engage in public affairs, freedom of assembly permitting peaceful protests, the establishment and operation of political parties (including potential bans or barriers, and the autonomy of opposition parties), and the extent of government repression targeting civil society.

Singapore notably demonstrated relatively low scores in the freedom of assembly and civil society organizations subcategories, both receiving a score of 2.7.

Regarding media and expression, according to Freedom House, Singapore was rated 2.5, suggesting, “There is self-censorship on a few highly sensitive political issues but not on moderately sensitive issues.”

In economic freedom, Switzerland claimed the third position globally with a score of 8.47.

Switzerland’s score card in latest HFI.

2023 HFI report: COVID-19 pandemic disrupting rule of law and fundamental liberties

Geographically, the report said North America (Canada and the United States), Western Europe, and Oceania emerged with higher freedom levels, while the Middle East, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia lagged.

Taiwan retained its position as the top Asian jurisdiction, ranking 12th globally among 165 jurisdictions, scoring 8.56 in the HFI, similar to the previous year.

The index’s definition of freedom centres around negative freedom, signifying the absence of coercive constraint, as highlighted in the report.

Economic freedom is evaluated based on criteria such as government size, legal system and property rights, sound money, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation.

Meanwhile, personal freedom criteria encompass the rule of law, security and safety, movement, religion, expression and information, relationships, and association, assembly, and civil society.

The report stressed a severe decline in human freedom due to the COVID-19 pandemic, notably impacting the rule of law, freedom of movement, expression, association and assembly, and freedom to trade.

The average human freedom rating slightly decreased from 6.79 in 2020 to 6.75 in 2021, affecting 89.8% of the world’s population, with more jurisdictions (147) experiencing reduced ratings compared to those that increased (16), and 2 remaining unchanged.

Highlighting global inequality, the report noted that only 13.8% of the population lived in the top quartile of free jurisdictions, while 37.6% lived in the bottom quartile.

Jurisdictions in the top quartile of freedom displayed significantly higher average per capita income ($47,421) compared to less free quartiles ($14,157). The report also highlighted a strong relationship between human freedom and democracy.

“The findings in the HFI suggest that freedom plays an important role in human well-being, and they offer opportunities for further research into the complex ways in which freedom influences and can be influenced by, political regimes, economic development, and the whole range of indicators of human well-being,” said the report.