Hong Kong, October 8 — Hong Kong retained its position as the world’s freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2026 Annual Report, released on October 6, 2026, by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think tank. The report measured economic freedom across 165 jurisdictions and ranked Hong Kong first, followed by Switzerland and Singapore. Hong Kong maintained its top ranking in the ‘Freedom to trade internationally’ category and secured second place in ‘Regulation’ among the five areas assessed.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government affirmed the report’s findings, stating that Hong Kong remains committed to its free port status, zero-tariff policy, and simple and low tax regime to provide a secure, stable, fair, predictable, and internationalized business environment.
Under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework, the HKSAR government highlighted Hong Kong’s strong support from the mainland and its close global connections, noting the city’s practice of common law in both Chinese and English, and its provision of financial, shipping, trading, and professional services aligned with international standards. The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) in Hong Kong welcomed the ranking, calling it significant for affirming the city’s long-standing commitment to a free and open market and boosting confidence among local and overseas enterprises.
The CGCC said it will align the SAR’s first Five-Year Plan with national strategies and leverage initiatives like the Northern Metropolis to expand development prospects. Billy Mak Sui-choi, associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance, noted that Hong Kong’s consistent regulations and tax regimes have created a stable environment for business, emphasizing its free port status, no customs tariffs, and free currency exchange as key strengths.
Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, honorary professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Business School, described Hong Kong as an effective intermediary that bridges global stakeholders by enabling free flow of capital, information, and expertise without capital controls. In the first eight months of 2026, Invest Hong Kong, the government’s investment promotion agency, assisted 520 mainland and overseas enterprises in setting up or expanding operations in the city. As of August 2026, over 310,000 individuals had arrived in Hong Kong under various talent admission schemes launched at the end of 2022.
The report was referenced in a China Daily article published on October 8, 2026, which included a file photo from September 27, 2026, showing boats in Victoria Harbour with the Hong Kong Island skyline in the background. Li Xiaoyun contributed to the story.
