NANNY STATE INDEX 2025
The Nanny State Index ranks European countries by how much they interfere in your lifestyle choices — from what you eat and drink to whether you smoke or vape. The higher the ranking, the more overbearing the rules; the lower the ranking, the freer the country. Created by the IEA’s Christopher Snowdon with the assistance of partners across Europe, it exposes the growing creep of paternalistic regulation. Since its launch in 2016, the Index has sparked widespread media attention and debate across the continent.
The 2025 Index
| No. | Country | Alcohol (33.3) | Safer nicotine (16.7) | Food/Soft Drinks (33.3) | Smoking (16.7) | Total (100) | 2023 Ranking |
|---|
Least free
Less free
Freest
About the Editor
Dr Christopher Snowdon is the head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). He is a regular contributor to the Spectator, The Critic and Spiked, and is the author of ‘Polemics’ (2020), ‘Killjoys’ (2017), ‘Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism’ (2015), ‘The Art of Suppression' (2011), ‘The Spirit Level Delusion’ (2010) and ‘Velvet Glove, Iron Fist’ (2009). He is the author of more than twenty reports for the IEA.
Enquiries: info@epicenternetwork.eu
The 2025 Map
Least free Less free Freest