Hong Kong again rated world's freest economy by Fraser Institute
In short
Canada's Fraser Institute released its Economic Freedom of the World 2026 report on October 6, rating Hong Kong again as the world's freest economy. Among five assessment categories, Hong Kong kept first place in freedom of international trade and second place in regulation. The Hong Kong government said the report affirms the city's free market advantages, pointing to its free port status, zero tariffs and simple low tax regime amid rising trade protectionism.
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Canada's Fraser Institute released its Economic Freedom of the World 2026 report on October 6, and Hong Kong was again rated the world's freest economy, according to China News Service, CLS and Yicai. Among the five assessment categories, Hong Kong retained first place in freedom of international trade and second place worldwide in regulation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
A Hong Kong government spokesperson said the same day that the report once again affirms Hong Kong's free market advantages and its open, efficient and fair business environment. The spokesperson said that with global economic uncertainty rising and trade protectionism intensifying, Hong Kong continues to maintain its free port status and to apply zero tariffs and a simple low tax regime, which the spokesperson described as offering domestic and overseas investors and entrepreneurs a safe, stable, fair and predictable international business and investment environment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to China News Service, the spokesperson also pointed to this year's results in several international competitiveness rankings covering finance, innovation and technology, education and talent, saying they reflected international recognition of Hong Kong's core strengths and of the government's efforts to promote high-quality social and economic development. The spokesperson said Hong Kong's business and living environment, together with the efforts of the government and the community, continued to attract companies and talent from around the world, and cited considerable growth over the past year in IPO fundraising, bank deposits, and assets under management in the asset and wealth management industry as evidence of international investors' confidence. [ 1 ]
Looking ahead, the spokesperson said that with the country's firm support the government would continue to work with all sectors to further Hong Kong's role as “four centres, one highland”, accelerate development of the Northern Metropolis, and create more room for local companies and residents as well as greater opportunities for global companies, investors and talent. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The ranking is used by the Hong Kong government as evidence that the city retains an open and predictable business environment as an international financial and trade hub. The government said it comes as global economic uncertainty and trade protectionism increase, and it cited the result as international recognition of its competitiveness and of its efforts to draw companies and talent.
Key facts
- The Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, released its Economic Freedom of the World 2026 report on October 6. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Hong Kong was again rated the world's freest economy in the report. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Of five assessment categories, Hong Kong retained first place in freedom of international trade and second place in regulation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A Hong Kong government spokesperson said the report affirms the city's free market advantages and its open, efficient and fair business environment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The spokesperson said Hong Kong maintains its free port status, zero tariffs and a simple low tax regime, providing what it called a safe, stable, fair and predictable business and investment environment. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The spokesperson said Hong Kong logged sizable growth over the past year in IPO fundraising, bank deposits and assets under management. [ 1 ]
- The spokesperson said the government would further Hong Kong's role as “four centres, one highland” and speed up Northern Metropolis development. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Fraser Institute published its Economic Freedom of the World 2026 report on October 6 and again rated Hong Kong the world's freest economy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Hong Kong ranked first in freedom of international trade and second in regulation among five assessment categories. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A Hong Kong government spokesperson responded on the same day, saying the report affirms the city's free market advantages and its open, efficient and fair business environment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Hong Kong's ranking or score changed from the previous edition of the report. The documents say Hong Kong “continues” to be rated the world's freest economy but give no scores or comparison with earlier editions.
- The rankings of other economies and the details of the five assessment categories beyond trade freedom and regulation. The documents mention only Hong Kong's positions and do not list other economies or the other categories.
- The growth figures behind the government's references to IPO fundraising, bank deposits and assets under management. Only one document mentions these items, and it gives no numbers or periods.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- China News Service publishes its report on the Fraser Institute ranking and the Hong Kong government's response. [ 1 ]
- CLS publishes its report, including the spokesperson's remarks on the free port status, zero tariffs and the low tax regime. [ 2 ]
- Yicai publishes its report, citing CCTV News. [ 3 ]