The AvenirSuisse group unveiled this Tuesday its 2024 index of economic and civil freedoms in the cantons. This ranking is developed based on 29 indicators for each of the two categories. If the criteria are met, the canton obtains a score of between 0 and 100 points for each indicator, for example the tax burden, the opening hours of shops, the ban on certain dog breeds or the political rights of foreigners.
Most cantons shine in one or the other category. But one canton is an exception, receiving excellent marks in both economic and civil freedoms: Aargau. The latter is thus the Swiss champion of freedom, according to AvenirSuisse, with a final index of 67 out of 100. The podium is completed by Liechtenstein (59) and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (58).
At the opposite extreme, a canton is also an exception, but for the opposite reasons: Valais (39). Good last in the ranking, he obtained poor marks in both categories. As for the other French-speaking people: Friborg is 20e (44), Geneva finishes 16e (46), the Jura rises to 12e place (51), the canton of Vaud obtains 11e rank (52) and Neuchâtel ranks 8e (53).
Finally, it is interesting to note that a real rösti barrier appears in the category rankings. The German-speaking cantons obtain better marks overall for economic freedoms, while the Latin cantons, including Ticino, take all the places of honor in the area of civil liberties.
The canton of Vaud perfectly illustrates this duality. In terms of economic indicators, it is penultimate. The high tax burden of an average family and the second income contribute to this. The canton also has the most restrictive law on the sale of alcohol in Switzerland. On the other hand, he is the leader of civil liberties, for example allowing short residence periods for naturalization.
