HERITAGE FOUNDATION INDEX OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM RANKS ARMENIA 31ST OF 183
ARKA
Jan 13, 2009
YEREVAN, January 13. /ARKA/. Armenia’s economic freedom score is 69.9,
making its economy the 31st freest in the 2009 Index of Economic
Freedom released by the Heritage Foundation (USA). The country’s
overall score remains unchanged from 2007. Armenia is ranked 18th
freest among the 43 countries in the Europe region, and its score
puts it above the world average.
Armenia rates significantly higher than the average country in eight
of the 10 freedoms.
Specifically, the country shows the following indices: business freedom
83.7%; trade freedom 86.4%; fiscal freedom 90%; government size 89.7%;
monetary freedom 77.8%; investment freedom 70%; financial freedom 70%;
property rights 35%; freedom from corruption 30%; labor freedom 66.3%.
According to the Index, commercial regulations are flexible and
relatively simple in the country. Low tax rates and moderate government
spending contribute to an impressive degree of fiscal freedom. There
are few restrictions on foreign investment, and banking is wholly
private and well regulated.
On the other hand, widespread corruption and weak protection
of property rights reduce Armenia’s overall level of economic
freedom.