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Canada: Land of the free
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Canada is now home of the free according the Legatum Institute. - photo by Freeman Stevenson
Freedom and apple pie have now been replaced with freedom and maple syrup.

Canada is the best nation on earth when it comes to personal freedom, according the Legatum Institute, a think-tank based out of Great Britain.

According to their yearly Prosperity Index, Canada was the freest country in the world in 2015, up from sixth place in 2014.

Ninety-four percent of Canadians "believe they have the freedom to choose the course of their own lives" under their government, according to Legatums findings. In addition, 92 percent of Canadians support the idea that Canada is a good place for immigrants and ethnic minorities, which also puts them at the top of the index's list.

By comparison, America ranks 15th in personal freedom and 87 percent of Americans believe they have freedom of choice in their lives. Eighty-four percent of its citizens think the U.S. is a good place for immigrants and ethnic minorities.

The index "ranks 142 countries across eight categories: the economy, entrepreneurship & opportunity, governance, education, health, safety & security, personal freedom and social capital."

Overall on the prosperity index, Canada ranks 6th down from 5th place last year while the U.S. ranks 11th. Meanwhile Norway continues its seven year streak of being the most prosperous country in the world all around, with the Central African Republic ranking as the least prosperous of the 142 countries included in the study.
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