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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
A man stands in front of closed shops during a nationwide strike in Kolkata.

India scores a dismal 111th rank in terms of economic freedom, behind countries like China, Nepal and Bangladesh, according to a global study of 144 nations.

India's ranking has fallen from 103rd position last year. The annual ranking, titled 'Economic Freedom of the World: 2012', by Canada-based public policy think-tank, Fraser Institute, in cooperation with independent institutes in 90 nations and territories, and claims to measure the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries support economic freedom.

The index published in Economic Freedom of the World measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom.

The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of privately owned property.

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST

Hong Kong retains the highest rating for economic freedom.

Hong Kong (Rank 1)
Score: 8.90

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Foreign visitors walk down the stairs on the waterfront facing Hong Kong's financial Central district.

Singapore (Rank 2)

Score: 8.69

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
People look at exchange rates displayed at the NZ Stock Exchange in Wellington.

New Zealand (Rank 3)

Score: 8.36

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
A general view shows the headquarters of Swiss Migros group in front of the city of Zurich and the eastern Swiss Alps.

Switzerland (Rank 4)

Score: 8.24

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Surfers wait for waves as dolphins leap in the waters of Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Australia (Rank 5)

Score: 7.97

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Distillery District, Toronto, Canada.

Canada (Rank 6)

Score: 7.97

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST

Bahrain (Rank 7)

Score: 7.94

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Port Louis, Mauritius.

Mauritius (Rank 8)

Score: 7.90

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Finland.

Finland (Rank 9)

Score: 7.88

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST

Chile (Rank 10)

Score: 7.84

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
View from the observation deck of Burj Dubai Tower.

UAE (Rank 11)

Score: 7.83

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Tram service in south Dublin, Ireland.

Ireland (Rank 12)

Score: 7.75

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Spectators picnic between a pair of double decker buses during Ladies Day at the Epsom Derby festival in Epsom, southwest of London.

United Kingdom (Rank 12)

Score: 7.75

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Estonia.

Estonia (Rank 14)

Score: 7.74

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
A man holding balloons stands next to a ship leaving to Keelung in Taiwan during a ceremony of the first direct sea transport across the strait, at Tianjin Port.

Taiwan (Rank 15)

Score: 7.72

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Copenhagen, Denmark.

Denmark (Rank 16)

Score: 7.71

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
A view of Doha, Qatar.

Qatar(Rank 17)

Score: 7.70

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
New York City, United States.

United States (Rank 18)

Score: 7.69

The United States, long considered a champion of economic  freedom among large industrial nations, dropped to its lowest position ever in to the  Fraser Institute's annual Economic Freedom of the World report.

Much of this decline is a result of high spending on the part of the US  government.

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Liberation Tower (Kuwait).

Kuwait (Rank 19)

Score: 7.66

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Economic freedom: Top 20 nations, India falls to 111!

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 11:44 IST
Cyprus.

Cyprus (Rank 20)

Score: 7.64