Poland ranked 48th in this year's edition of the Economic Freedom of the World Report, falling from 42nd place last year. The country scored 7.31 from a possible 10 points, with 10 being the most free.

The report, prepared by the Fraser Institute, was based on 2010 data and included 144 countries. The top spot went to Hong Kong, with Singapore in second place. New Zealand and Switzerland were in third and fourth place, respectively.

Poland received 6.35 points for size of government, 6.33 for its justice system, 7.27 for freedom in international exchange and 7.20 for the regulation of businesses, the labor market and credit market.

Poland received the highest score in the good money category which considered the rate of inflation, among other things.

Commenting on the report, Andrzej Sadowski, vice president of the Adam Smith Center think tank, told Gazeta Wyborcza that Poland's biggest problem today in terms of economic freedom is its judicial system, since, in his opinion, it does not guarantee citizens and businesses their constitutional rights.

Poland A.M.