South Carolina Hits the Top 5: Ranks 4th Economically Free in North America

Based on the Fraser Institute's latest Economic Freedom of North America 2025 report, South Carolina has made significant strides, now ranking as the #4 most economically free jurisdiction in North America. This is a major jump from previous years, reflecting the state's aggressive push toward lower taxes and reduced regulation.

Why does South Carolina’s ranking matter? Economic freedom equals opportunity.

Jurisdictions with higher levels of economic liberty, like South Carolina, consistently see higher prosperity, including significantly higher average per capita incomes. We enjoy better business with lower taxes and fewer regulatory hurdles. We can also enjoy increased accountability, because a free economy relies on a government that is efficient, transparent, and stays within its constitutional boundaries.

Economic Freedom Outcomes

• Income: In the most-free jurisdictions, total income grew by 24.3% in inflation-adjusted dollars. In contrast, the least-free areas saw a meager 2.6% increase in real income.

• Employment: Jurisdictions ranked as the most economically free saw total employment grow twice as fast (18%) as those in the least-free quartile (9%) over the last decade.

• Population: Economic freedom acts as a magnet. States in the "Most Free" quartile saw their populations grow a staggering 17.7 times faster than those in the "Least Free" quartile.

  
  

The Work Isn’t Finished

The Economic Freedom Fund of South Carolina (EFFSC) is the engine behind the policy research, mobilization, and advocacy that makes these rankings possible. When you donate to EFFSC today, you are directly funding the fight for freedom.

Your donation isn't just a gift; it's an investment in a freer Palmetto State.