Survey Summary

Teleios Research evaluates the influence of freedom in wealthy countries

Teleios Research evaluated various publicly available social, political and economic measures of the 20 countries with the highest average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) who were listed in the top 25% of the Economic Freedom Index versus the 20 with the GDP in the bottom 75%.

The freest nations of Singapore, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and the United States had the highest GDP while the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Russia and Greece had the highest GDP within the less free countries. Countries ranked as most free had a higher average GDP ($52,141 versus $24,136 international dollars, P<0.0001).

Other differences observed between groups were: the freest countries demonstrated a better Human Freedom Index [mean score: 8 vs. 6 (scale 0-10,10 best)], Economic Freedom Index [mean score: 75 vs. 61 (scale 0-100,100 best)], World Press Freedom Index [mean score: 19 vs. 44 (scale 0-100, 0 best)], World Happiness Report [mean score: 7 vs. 6 (scale 0-8, 8 best)], and Corruption Perceptions Index [mean score: 75 vs. 39 (scale 0-100,100 best)] (all tests P<0.0001). Further, freer countries more often were Christian in background (n=17 vs. n=9, P=0.008).

This analysis shows countries with the highest mean GDP also ranked in the top 25% of free countries, demonstrated additional differences that might impact general wellbeing, including greater: human, economic and press freedom, more happiness and less corruption. As an underlying moral and ethical base, freer countries were more often Christian in background (n=17 vs. n=9, P=0.008).

Since biblical principles encourage hard work and high moral and ethical standards, Christianity may have contributed to the economic and freedom based differences identified between the affluent free and less free countries analyzed for this report. Further, prior research has shown that the practice of Christianity improves wellbeing. More research is needed to clarify these preliminary findings.

–WC Stewart; JA Stewart; S Brogan; and LA Nelson–

If you have questions or comments about this study, please contact [email protected].

About Teleios – Teleios is a non-profit foundation that seeks to demonstrate the truth of scripture and the Christian faith through scientific methods by providing evidence for the positive results of a biblically-based lifestyle. Prior studies conducted by Teleios have shown that the practice of the Christian faith (praise, prayer, fellowship, service and Bible study) and security of salvation increases well-being while reducing guilt.