Taiwan ranks 5th globally in 2026 economic freedom indexStaff Writer, with CNATaiwan ranked fifth among 184 economies in the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom, slipping one place from a year earlier despite a slight increase in its overall score, according to the annual report released Tuesday by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation. Taiwan received a score of 79.8, up 0.1 points from 2025. A chart of Taiwan’s Economics Freedom Index ranking is pictured in this photograph. The NDC said while Taiwan’s tax burden is higher than in Hong Kong and Singapore, it remains lower than that of China, Japan and South Korea. Looking ahead, the NDC said global economic conditions will be shaped by factors including the rapid development of AI, U.S. tariff policies, China’s industrial overcapacity, geopolitical risks and climate challenges.

Source: Taipei Times March 11, 2026 17:42 UTC