Economic Freedom Survey Calls Ukraine And Iran 'Repressed'

The Chinese-ruled territory of Hong Kong remains the most economically "free" place in the world, while Iran and Ukraine are among the most unfree.

That's the conclusion of an annual survey by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation think tank and "The Wall Street Journal."

The survey said Hong Kong retained the top position for the 20th straight year by remaining committed to limited government interference in the economy.

It said former Soviet bloc members Estonia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic gained the most economic freedom over the past two decades and are "mostly" free.

It also said that the United States and Britain suffered significant declines and are now only "mostly" free.

According to the survey, Pakistan, China, Russia, and Belarus are "mostly unfree," while Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Venezuela are "repressed."