According to the Economic Freedom Index prepared by the US based Heritage Foundation, Azerbaijan has improved its position by 16 places this year, rising to 44th place globally.

Providing this information, Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stated that Azerbaijan is among the 11 countries worldwide that have achieved the greatest improvement in the Economic Freedom Index. He noted:

"We are witnessing another international success of the systematic economic reforms carried out under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. In fact, in the history of the Economic Freedom Index, there is no other country that has made progress comparable to Azerbaijan."

As a result, Azerbaijan has further strengthened its position among mostly free economies. This progress is mainly based on achievements in business freedom, investment freedom, and fiscal health indicators. According to the Economic Freedom Index, Azerbaijan has outperformed several European countries, including Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and France.

Azerbaijan has been recognized as the country that has improved its Economic Freedom Index the most in the European region. Azerbaijans Economic Freedom Index score is approximately equal to the European average. Starting from this year, the Heritage Foundation has classified Azerbaijan as a European country rather than an Asia Pacific country.