Poland advanced by 3 places in The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal’s Index of Economic Freedom and has come 39th among 178 countries, 18th in Europe. First place among all of the economies takes Hong Kong, while in Europe it’s Switzerland.
Poland’s transition to a free-market economy has been a result of structural reforms and an increasingly vibrant private sector. Openness to global commerce and trade, competitive taxation, and an efficient regulatory system have encouraged more dynamic and broadly based economic expansion. Poland’s economic status is “Moderately Free”, though it takes the first place in this group.
Economic Freedom in brief:
– 2016 Economic Freedom Score: 69.3 (up 0.7 point)
– Economic Freedom Status: Moderately Free
– Global Ranking: 39th
– Regional Ranking: 18th in Europe
– Notable Successes: Open Markets and Monetary Freedom
– Concerns: Management of Government Spending and Labor Freedom
– Overall Score Change Since 2012: +5.1
Background
Low rates of investment in agriculture have made Poland uncompetitive in food production, but the automotive, pharmaceutical, aviation, steel, and machinery sectors have made it one of the EU’s strongest economic performers. The private sector now accounts for two-thirds of GDP.
Sweden is now 26th in overall ranking and 14th in Europe.
http://www.heritage.org/index/country/poland
