Taiwan moved up two spots to 19th out of 162 countries and territories assessed in the latest Human Freedom Index report jointly released Dec. 17 by Washington-based Cato Institute and Vancouver-based Fraser Institute.

On a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 represents the most freedom, Taiwan scored 8.42, up 0.04 points from the 2017-2018 edition of the report, and ranks third in Asia after Hong Kong and Japan. The world’s top three spots went to New Zealand, Switzerland and Hong Kong in that order.

According to the report, which comprises personal freedom and economic freedom, Taiwan’s overall score is well above the global average of 6.93 and puts it among five countries with the most improved levels of human freedom since the index’s launch in 2008.

Among the seven subcategories under personal freedom, Taiwan scored a perfect 10 in movement, expression and information, and identity and relationships; between 9.1 and 9.3 in association, assembly and civil society, religious freedom, and security and safety; and 6.9 in rule of law.

For economic freedom, Taiwan scored 9.7 in sound money and between 6.9 and 8.1 in the other four subcategories of freedom to trade internationally, legal system and property rights, regulation and size of government.

In a tweet responding to the report, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ranking is proof of Taiwan’s standing as a bastion of freedom. It also highlighted the strong gains the country has made since the index began. (SFC-E)