Fraser Institute Releases Economic Freedom Index Amid Trump's Second Term
What happened
The Fraser Institute released the Economic Freedom of the World index, which uses 46 indicators across five areas to evaluate how countries allow citizens to make economic choices. In the final year of President Biden’s term, the United States scored 8.21, placing fifth out of 165 countries. The index projects a score for the U.S. in 2025, the first year of Donald Trump’s second term, though more current country data is not yet available.
Why it matters
The index assesses countries based on factors such as low taxes and spending, protection of private property, low inflation, and limited government regulations. The index has been used in over 1,000 peer-reviewed studies to evaluate the effects of economic freedom on well-being.
Who's involved
- Fraser InstitutePublic policy think tank that released the Economic Freedom of the World index.
- Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, whose second term is the subject of the index's projection.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Fraser Institute
Public policy think tank
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Donald Trump
American businessman and politician (born 1946), President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)