With a score of 71.8, Macau is among the top 20 freest economies in the world, ranking 19 worldwide and sixth in the Asia-Pacific region, just behind Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Taiwan.

In fact, most of the ranked countries in the Asia-Pacific region are amongst the freest in the world.

Hong Kong remains the world leader in economic freedom for the 18th consecutive year in 2012, with a score of 89.9.

Singapore came in second, also for the 18th consecutive year. Australia and New Zealand ranked third and fourth.

The Heritage Foundation released its 2012 report today stating that Macau “has long benefited from global trade and investment.”

According to the report, the overall business environment is “efficient and streamlined and property rights are well respected,” where taxation is also low.

The Heritage Foundation classifies a free economy as “positively related to per capita income as well as overall well-being.”

The ranking ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being the freest.