OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2012. According to Cato Institute findings for 2012, Moldova garnered 6.8 points out of 10 possible. In 2012 it was given 6.3 points, being the 96th among 141 states. From 2006 till 2009 Moldova garnered 6.5 points every year.

In the last research Moldova was given highest grades in the following areas: public enterprises and investments, the top income rate, black market exchange rate, property right for banks (subcategory of the Banking Market Regulation). Moldova was graded the lowest in such areas as independent justice, court impartiality, capital control, business expenses on illicit operations, administrative requirements and bureaucratic cost.

The closets neighbours of Moldova and CIS states showed the following results: Armenia – the 35th (7.4), Romania – the 36th (7.4), Georgia – the 42nd (7.3), Kazakhstan – the 70th (7.0), Turkey – the 75th (6.9), Kyrgyzstan– the 88th (6.7), Russia– the 95th (6.6), Ukraine – the 122 (5.9). The index is headed by Hong Kong, (8.9), Singapore (8.69), New Zealand (8.36), Switzerland (8.24), Australia (7.97).

The index is bottomed by Venezuela (4.07), Myanmar (4.29), and (4.35). Researchers point out relation between a level of economic freedom and living standard. For example, in states heading the index GDP averages USD37.69 thou. per head; incomes of the 10% poorest people equal to USD 11,38 thou., and the life expectancy is 79.5 years.

In states at the bottom of the index GDP averages USD 5.18 thou. p.c.; incomes of the poorest people equal to USD 1.2 thou., and the life expectancy is 61.6 years. The Economic Freedom Report has been published since 1996.