6 October 2026
Blaai af vir Afrikaanse weergawe.
South Africa ranks 87th out of 165 countries and territories in the Economic Freedom of the World: 2026 Annual Report (EFW), released today by the Free Market Foundation (FMF) in conjunction with Canada’s Fraser Institute.
The latest ranking reflects a further decline for South Africa, which previously hovered at 83rd place, signalling a ongoing erosion of economic liberty. With an overall absolute score of 6.63 out of 10, the data confirms that South Africa’s economic freedom has been on a slow, downwards trend since its peak in the year 2000, leaving the country less free today than it was at the turn of the century.
“South Africa’s drop to 87th place is a clear warning sign,” said Richard J Grant, Professor of Finance and Economics at Cumberland University and Senior Associate at the FMF. “Historical data show unambiguously that countries with greater economic freedom are also more prosperous, with higher average incomes and lower poverty rates. Without widespread liberalisation, secure property rights, and a reduction in government overreach, South Africa will continue to suffer from anaemic growth.”
Economic freedom – the degree to which individuals are permitted to make their own decisions regarding commerce, employment, and personal exchange – is fundamentally tied to national prosperity and personal freedom. The EFW index measures these levels across five key areas: Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally, and Regulation.
Out of all five categories, only Sound Money has avoided dropping below its level of 25 years ago. However, ongoing inflation pressures and currency depreciation continue to exacerbate broader economic challenges.
The report highlights several major structural weaknesses holding South Africa back, including excessive general government spending (over a third of total GDP) that consistently exceeds tax revenues and heavy regulation, particularly of the labour market.
“Governments cannot create lasting prosperity, but they can create the conditions within which people’s lives and property are respected,” Grant added. “Where people are free to pursue their own opportunities and make their own economic choices, they build prosperous, harmonious, and resilient communities.”
The Free Market Foundation continues to advocate for policy reforms under its Liberty First initiative, identifying key structural changes necessary to reverse South Africa’s economic decline, restore investor confidence, and foster growth.
For more information on the Economic Freedom Network, datasets, and the full Economic Freedom of the World: 2026 Annual Report, click here.
To view an online discussion between FMF CEO David Ansara and Neil Emerick, click here.
For details on the FMF’s policy agenda, visit www.libertyfirst.co.za.
Ends.
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Suid-Afrika daal na 87ste plek op wêreldwye ekonomiesevryheid-ranglys terwyl langtermyndaling voortduur
6 Oktober 2026
Blaai op vir Engelse weergawe.
Suid-Afrika beklee die 87ste plek uit 165 lande en gebiede in die Economic Freedom of the World: 2026 Annual Report (EFW), wat vandag deur die Vryemarkstigting (FMF) in samewerking met Kanada se Fraser-Instituut vrygestel is.
Die jongste rangskikking weerspieël ’n verdere daling vir Suid-Afrika, wat voorheen om die 83ste plek gehang het, en dui op ’n voortgesette verwering van ekonomiese vryheid. Met ’n algehele absolute telling van 6,63 uit 10 bevestig die data dat Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese vryheid sedert sy hoogtepunt in die jaar 2000 op ’n stadige, afwaartse neiging is, wat die land vandag minder vry laat as met die eeuwisseling.
“Suid-Afrika se daling na die 87ste plek is ’n duidelike waarskuwingsteken,” sê Richard J Grant, professor in finansies en ekonomie aan die Cumberland-Universiteit en Senior Medewerker by die FMF. “Historiese data toon ondubbelsinnig dat lande met groter ekonomiese vryheid ook meer voorspoedig is, met hoër gemiddelde inkomste en laer armoedekoerse. Sonder wydverspreide liberalisering, veilige eiendomsregte, en ’n vermindering in oordrewe staatsinmenging sal Suid-Afrika aanhou ly onder anemiese groei.”
Ekonomiese vryheid – die mate waarin individue toegelaat word om hul eie besluite oor handel, indiensneming, en persoonlike ruiltransaksies te neem – is fundamenteel verbind aan nasionale voorspoed en persoonlike vryheid. Die EFW-indeks meet hierdie vlakke oor vyf sleutelgebiede: Grootte van die Regering, Regstelsel en eiendomsreg, Waardevaste Geld, Vryheid om Internasionaal te Handel, en Regulering.
Van al vyf kategorieë het slegs Waardevaste Geld nie onder sy vlak van 25 jaar gelede gedaal nie. Voortdurende inflasionêre druk en die depresiasie van die geldeenheid vererger egter steeds breër ekonomiese uitdagings.
Die verslag beklemtoon verskeie groot strukturele swakhede wat Suid-Afrika terughou, waaronder buitensporige algemene staatsbesteding (meer as ’n derde van die totale BBP) wat deurlopend belastinginkomste oorskry, en swaar regulering, veral van die arbeidsmark.
“Regerings kan nie blywende voorspoed skep nie, maar hulle kan die omstandighede skep waarbinne mense se lewens en eiendom gerespekteer word,” voeg Grant by. “Waar mense vry is om hul eie geleenthede na te jaag en hul eie ekonomiese keuses te maak, bou hulle voorspoedige, harmonieuse en veerkragtige gemeenskappe.”
Die Vryemarkstigting beywer hom steeds vir beleidsherformings kragtens sy Liberty First-inisiatief, en identifiseer die sleutelstrukturele veranderinge wat nodig is om Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese agteruitgang om te keer, beleggersvertroue te herstel, en groei te bevorder.
Vir meer inligting oor die Economic Freedom Network, datastelle en die volledige Economic Freedom of the World: 2026 Annual Report, klik hier.
Om ’n aanlyn bespreking tussen FMF HVB David Ansara en Neil Emerick te sien, klik hier.
Vir besonderhede oor die FMF se beleidsagenda, besoek www.libertyfirst.co.za.
Einde.
