Hong Kong has topped the Fraser Institute’s ranking of the world’s freest economies again. The think tank’s Economic Freedom of the World 2025 Annual Report, released on Thursday, September 25, 2025, put the city first overall.
The report scores economies in five areas. Hong Kong came first in freedom to trade internationally, and third in both sound money and regulation.
Government response
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said the findings pointed to the city’s free markets and its open, efficient and fair business environment. The government would keep its status as a free port, maintain free trade policies and a simple, low tax regime, and allow capital, information, goods and talent to move freely, the spokesperson said. The city would keep playing what the spokesperson called its “super connector” and “super value-adder” roles.
The spokesperson tied the result to the “one country, two systems” framework, saying it gives Hong Kong advantages in connectivity, internationalization, diversity and inclusiveness. Stable, predictable economic and financial policies add to that, and together they continue to draw investors, enterprises and talent, the spokesperson said.
As evidence of investor confidence, the spokesperson cited the strong stock market, steady growth in bank deposits and the expansion of asset and wealth management. The city also continues to do well in global competitiveness rankings covering finance, innovation and technology, education and talent.
Law and the road ahead
On the legal side, the spokesperson said the government protects residents’ rights and freedoms under the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law. Enterprises and investors are safeguarded in accordance with the law. Hong Kong continues to practise the common law and keeps a judiciary that exercises power independently, the spokesperson said, adding that various surveys show foreign businesses in the city generally have strong confidence in its rule of law.
Looking ahead, the region will integrate into the national development plan and align with national strategies while strengthening links with the mainland and the wider world, the spokesperson said. The government also welcomes local and overseas enterprises and talent to invest and build careers in the city.
Sources
- Hong Kong retains position as world's freest economy: report
- Hong Kong retains top spot of world's freest economy
