The Fraser Institute of Canada and the Cato Institute of the United States released their latest 2023 global Human Freedom Index (HFI) report. Hong Kong’s ranking dropped to 46th among 165 regions, a drop of 12 places since its 2022 report. Among the various categories, Hong Kong’s ranking in personal freedom plummeted from 62nd to 82nd, while on freedom of association, assembly, and civil society, it ranked 146th.
This report covers data from 165 regions in 2021, compiled using 86 indicators on personal and economic freedoms. The results showed that the overall average human freedom index (HFI) dropped slightly, from 6.79 to the latest 6.75. Among all regions, Switzerland continues to score the highest, followed by New Zealand, Denmark, and Ireland, with Estonia and Sweden tied for fifth place, followed by Iceland, Luxembourg, Finland, and Norway from 7th to 10th.
In Asia, Taiwan ranks highest at 12th, with Japan taking 16th place and South Korea at 28th. Hong Kong ranked 46th, Mongolia at 59th, while mainland China ranked 149th, with Syria last of all.
The report pointed out that Hong Kong has maintained a high degree of freedom for many years. It was among the freest places in the world in 2012. However, with the increasing interference of the CCP in recent years, the degree of freedom declined drastically, resulting in Hong Kong dropping from third in 2010 to 46th in 2021, making it one of the regions with the worst deterioration in freedom. In particular, the ranking of freedom of speech dropped from 50th in 2000 to 110th in 2021; for freedom of association and assembly, it fell from its highest ranking of 75th to 146th this time round.
The report stated that the results showed the effect of the CCP exercising complete control over Hong Kong via the implementation of the strict “Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL).” The agency made it clear that although the CCP has reneged on its promise of “one country, two systems” and “has ended Hong Kong’s autonomy,” they will continue to include Hong Kong in the index and describe Hong Kong as an “an extraordinary case” worthy of record.
The report also pointed out that although Hong Kong continues to rank second only to Singapore in the economic freedom sub-category and has provided huge economic benefits to the CCP, the decline in Hong Kong’s economic freedom since the 2019 social movement is still greater than the average decline. The report continued that as the pandemic subsided, many countries around the world returned to enjoying normal freedom. However, under the CCP’s tightened rule, Hong Kong’s personal and civil liberties have regressed significantly.
With the strong link between personal and economic freedoms, Hong Kong’s ranking is likely to decline further. The agency further expressed its belief that with the CCP’s plan to exercise the same control over the Hong Kong private sector as it does on the mainland, and describes “Hong Kong’s descent into tyranny is a tragedy.”
