This is the sixth edition of Economic Freedom of the World. It rates and ranks 123 nations for 2000, the most recent year for which data are available. Economic freedom continues to gain ground around the world. Based on the 10-point scale of this index, the average economic freedom rating was 6.39 for 2000, up from 5.99 in 1995. Economic freedom decreased through the 1970s, falling from 5.98 in 1970 to 5.32 in 1980. It has been on the rise since then.