The Impact of Economic Freedom on Economic and Environmental Performance: Evidence from European Countries

The EU Green Deal and its impact on economic transformation provoked a slightly forgotten free market vs. regulation discussion, but in the light of new context—economic environmental performance development. shock caused by COVID-19, which transformed economies societies, intensified this discussion. This article analyses freedom European countries. contributes to gap literature, because, date, research has examined effects freedom, or some components, measures groups nations with lacking sustainable development context. In addition, mixed results obtained led confusion perceptions knowledge about influence usefulness for performance. We also found regarding performance, introduction concept—the optimal level freedom—organized different into coherent logical sequence. paper provides original empirical evidence specifies targets structural reforms. are thus useful policymakers develop more appropriate efficient freedom.