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01 / 05
Are Freer Countries Just Better?

Blog Post | Economic Growth

Are Freer Countries Just Better?

The public thinks so, and with freer countries having higher incomes, longer lifespans and lower rates of infant mortality, why wouldn't they?

Marian L. Tupy —

The Overall Best Country Ranking is a fascinating new list from US News & World Report that ranks 80 countries in relation to one another. A set of 65 country attributes—including great food, rich history, fun and a pleasant climate—were identified by researchers at BAV Consulting and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Those “attributes” were then presented in a survey of more than 21,000 people from around the world. Participants then assessed how closely they associated each attribute with a particular nation. Interestingly, freer countries did very well. Freedom, it turns out, makes countries, in the eyes of the public, better.

A country’s position in the Overall Best Country Ranking correlates strongly with its score on the Human Freedom Index, which is the most thorough measure of personal, civil and economic freedom yet created for a large set of countries. In fact, a quick look at both the Overall Best Country Ranking and the Human Freedom Index shows that eleven of the top fifteen countries in each ranking are identical. Switzerland, for example, ranks number one on the Overall Best Country Ranking and comes in second place on the Human Freedom Index. Canada takes second place on the Overall Best Country Ranking and ties for sixth place on the Human Freedom Index, and so on.

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In fact, 40 percent of the variation in a country’s place on the Overall Best Country Ranking can actually be explained by its Human Freedom Index score, according to an analysis using statistical software. Moreover, my colleague Chelsea Follett and I have found that there was less than a 0.001 percent likelihood of our analysis results occurring if there were no relationship between the two. Put differently, a country may move up in the Overall Best Country Ranking by offering more freedom to its people.

That makes for a nice talking point, but, as libertarians know, freedom is good for more than simply improving a particular country’s position in an inconsequential ranking list. The benefits of freedom are manifold: higher incomes, longer lifespans and lower rates of infant mortality, etc. You can explore the incredible progress that ordinary people have created wherever they have been given the freedom to do so on HumanProgress.org.

This first appeared in Reason. 

CNN | Pregnancy & Birth

US Maternal Mortality Rate Declines, New CDC Data Shows

“The US maternal mortality rate fell from 32.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021 to 22.3 per 100,000 in 2022, according to the report, published Thursday by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.

‘Comparing 2022 to 2021 data, the maternal mortality rate decreased substantially, and the decreases were seen broadly,’ said Dr. Donna Hoyert, a statistician at NCHS and author of the report.”

From CNN.

FHI 360 | Pregnancy & Birth

FHI 360 Conducting Trial for Biodegradable Contraceptive Implant

“FHI 360 is leading a Phase I clinical trial of the biodegradable contraceptive implant Casea S in the Dominican Republic. Casea S is designed to release a synthetic hormone (the progestin etonogestrel, which is used in existing contraceptive implants) to prevent pregnancy for 18 to 24 months before dissolving, eliminating the need for removal by a health care provider.”

From FHI 360.

Nepali Times | Pregnancy & Birth

Saving More Mothers and Babies in Nepal

“Over the last two decades, Nepal has made notable progress in maternal and neonatal healthcare. The maternal mortality ratio has declined from 536 per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 151 by 2021…

There has been a remarkable rise in institutional deliveries, an increase in antenatal visits, and an impressive 70% of women receiving postpartum care from healthcare providers within the first two days after giving birth.”

From Nepali Times.

The Hill | Pregnancy & Birth

“Rising US Maternal Mortality Rates” Are Due to Flawed Data

“New research has found that prior studies showing high and rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States are due to flawed data.

The maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. has shown high rates of maternal deaths compared to other countries – but the study, published Wednesday in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that data may have been classified incorrectly for two decades.

The number of women dying after giving birth in the U.S. has been concerning and raised questions about the country’s health care. While past estimates show the maternal mortality rate has more than doubled in the last two decades, this week’s study found it has remained steady.”

From The Hill.