The Heritage Foundation’s 2022 Index of Economic Freedom ranks Tajikistan 147th among 177 nations in terms of economic freedom.

The report, in particular, notes that Tajikistan’s economic freedom score is 49.7, making its economy the 147th freest in the 2022 Index.

Tajikistan is reportedly ranked 30th among 39 countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score is below the regional and world averages.

According to the report, bucking an international trend, Tajikistan’s economy has grown steadily over the past five years: more rapidly in 2017 and 2018, more slowly in 2019 and 2020, but then more strongly in 2021.

“Unfortunately, a five-year trend of declining economic freedom has continued.  Weighed down by lower scores in fiscal health, business freedom, and rule of law, Tajikistan has recorded an 8.5-point overall loss of economic freedom since 2017 and has fallen back into the “Repressed” category from which it had escaped in 2005,” the report says, noting that fiscal health is still relatively strong, but investment freedom and financial freedom are very weak.

The report says economic freedom is in decline around the world, especially due to extraordinary restrictions and policies that have reduced or destroyed economic opportunity.

The Heritage Foundation’s 2022 Index of Economic Freedom documents a worldwide decline in economic freedom, with the largest decline in average scores ever measured.

The Heritage Foundation (abbreviated to Heritage) is an American conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C., primarily geared towards public policy.

According to information posted on its website, Heritage’s mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

The Heritage Foundation is reportedly much more than a think tank, providing solutions (researching, developing, and promoting innovative solutions), mobilizing conservatives (uniting the conservative movement to work together), and training leaders (preparing future generations who will lead America).