Today, the Fraser Institute released the eighth edition of its annual report, Economic Freedom of North America 2012, with some rather interesting results for those of us in the Bayou State.

Louisiana places as the 15th-freest U.S. state, trailing behind Texas, Georgia and North Carolina among its Southern neighbors. Delaware ranks atop the list.

The report gauges the extent of the restrictions on economic freedom imposed by governments in North America by taking into account the size of government, takings and discriminatory taxation, and labor market freedom. For the first time in the report’s history, Canadian provinces have a higher average level of economic freedom than American states. Driving the U.S.’ decline in economic freedom is an increase in government spending, over-regulation, and cronyism.

The authors of the report conclude:

“The statistical results of this year’s study persuasively confirm those published in the previous seven editions: economic freedom is a powerful driver of growth and prosperity. Those provinces and states that have low levels of economic freedom continue to leave their citizens poorer than they need or should be.”

Click to read or download the report below: