Global Capitalism Index Published for 2026
The new report evaluates market conditions and economic governance across 161 countries and territories worldwide.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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The Darden School of Business and Karsh Institute of Democracy have released the 2026 Global Capitalism Index. This comprehensive report assesses the health of market systems in 161 nations using 213 distinct datasets.
Why it matters
The index provides a vital look at the institutions and governance mechanisms required for capitalism to function. By measuring labor market openness and property rights, the report helps track the viability of economic systems globally.
The index utilizes 213 academic and private datasets to assign scores on a 100-point scale. Currently, 20 of the 47 African economies analyzed scored below 50, reflecting a significant disparity in market infrastructure.
The players
Darden School of Business
This graduate business school is a unit of the University of Virginia.
Karsh Institute of Democracy
This institute is a research organization dedicated to the study and support of democratic governance.
The details
Researchers at the Darden School of Business and Karsh Institute of Democracy standardized data across eight categories, including market policies and property rights. The final index provides a comparative view of 161 global economies based on historical data collected since 2009.
Timeline
Data collection for the index began in 2009.
The 2026 Global Capitalism Index was officially published on October 6, 2026.
Macro View
The 2026 Global Capitalism Index follows a pattern set by the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom by utilizing standardized, multi-source metrics to rank national performance. Such indices provide essential snapshots that allow observers to compare current economic environments against historical cycles.
The report highlights disparities that directly influence foreign investment and job creation in different regions. For readers tracking global business, these scores serve as a primary indicator of where policy-driven economic stability is strongest.
The takeaway
Understanding these rankings helps stakeholders identify regions where property rights and market policies are being strengthened or neglected. Investors and observers can use these benchmarks to monitor the long-term effectiveness of national economic governance.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of the global economy, visit the /economics/economic-indicators/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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Do you believe moving toward more open, market-oriented policies improves a nation's long-term economic stability?
