Which Swiss cantons have the most freedoms?

Swiss think tank Avenir Suisse has analysed which cantons in Switzerland grant their citizens and residents the most freedoms. According to the Freedom Index, Aargau has the most freedoms while canton Uri has the least.

Avenir Suisse Freedom Index 2025

Avenir Suisse has released the Avenir Suisse Freedom Index 2025, which uses 29 indicators to analyse which canton in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein has the most freedoms. The indicators are grouped into economic and social freedoms.

Within the social category, cantons are analysed for freedoms such as choice of school, use of video surveillance, restrictions on events, political rights for foreigners, smoking rules and residency requirements for naturalisation.

Economic freedoms include alcohol sales laws, shop opening hours, taxes, cantonal financial situations (e.g. whether they are in debt) and the number of public-sector employees.

Aargau the Swiss canton with the most freedoms

Aargau, on the Swiss border with Germany, came out on top as the canton with the most freedoms. This was followed by Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Schwyz in second and third place, respectively.

Canton Uri was found to be the least free canton, followed by Valais and Bern. The report also found differences between French-speaking and German-speaking cantons in Switzerland. 

French-speaking cantons, such as Geneva and Neuchâtel, performed well on social freedoms but “tend to lag behind” on economic freedoms, according to the study.

Meanwhile, German-speaking cantons, such as Zug and Zurich, perform better in economic freedoms than they do in social freedoms.

Which Swiss cantons have the most freedoms?

All in all, here are the Swiss cantons that have the most freedoms according to the Avenir Suisse Freedom Index 2025:

1. Aargau
2. Appenzell Ausserrhoden
3. Schwyz
4. Schaffhausen
5. (Liechtenstein)
6. Zug
7. Basel-Stadt
8. Graubünden
9. Glarus
10. Jura

You can find out more in the Avenir Suisse Freedom Index 2025.