USA: Labor freedom

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 USA

Labor freedom index (0-100)

 Latest value 78
 Year 2024
 Measure points
 Data availability 2005 - 2024
 Average 91
 Min - Max 76 - 99
 Source The Heritage Foundation
The latest value from 2024 is 78 points, an increase from 76 points in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 56 points, based on data from 174 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 2005 to 2024 is 91 points. The minimum value, 76 points, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 99 points was recorded in 2015. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
USA - Labor freedom - Recent values chart

Historical series
USA - Labor freedom - historical chart - 2005-2024




The Labor Freedom index for the USA from the Heritage Foundation reflects the various aspects of the legal and regulatory framework of the labor market in the USA, including the minimum wage; laws inhibiting layoffs; severance requirements; and the regulatory burdens on hiring.
Definition: The Labor freedom index is composed of six quantitative factors: ratio of minimum wage to the average value added per worker, hindrance to hiring additional workers, rigidity of hours, difficulty of firing redundant employees, legally mandated notice period, and mandatory severance pay. The index is based on data collected in connection with the World Bank’s Doing Business study.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Property rights 95 2024 points
 Freedom from corruption 76 2024 points
 Fiscal freedom 0 2024 points
 Business freedom 85 2024 points
 Labor freedom 78 2024 points
 Monetary freedom 73.80 2024 points
 Trade freedom 76 2024 points
 Investment freedom 80 2024 points
 Financial freedom 80 2024 points
 Economic freedom, overall index 70 2024 index points
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