Steady progress for economic freedom in the region, says the Heritage Foundation

Better than five out of every six countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean made steady progress toward economic freedom last year, according to the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom, released by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal.

Only Chile ranks among the world’s 20 freest economies. Only three countries in the region – Ecuador, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic – lost ground in the quest for economic freedom.

The region overall ranks above the world average on just four of the 10 Index categories. Its biggest problems remain corruption and a lack of property-rights protection.

Original source: The Heritage Foundation