Although about 80% of the countries in the world are capitalist, only a select number of these capitalist countries are considered First World countries. First World countries are those capitalist countries that are also industrialized and within Western Europe and the United States' sphere of influence.Each of the following is a capitalist country in 2011: United States, Canada, United Kingdom,
. Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Bermuda, Iceland, Denmark, San Marino, Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Chile, Estonia, Mauritius, Cyprus, Macau, Germany, Lithuania, Taiwan, St. Lucia, Qatar, Georgia, Spain, Uruguay, Oman, Armenia, Jordan, El Salvador, Botswana, Peru, Barbados, Columbia, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hungary, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Macedonia, Latvia, Malta, Jamaica, Panama, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Thailand, Romania, France, Cape Verde, Turkey, Poland, Portugal, Albania, Belize, Croatia, Uganda, South Africa, Guatemala, Samoa, Italy, Greece, Lebanon.There are several ways that capitalism is defined, but for this purpose all countries that embrace economic freedom are included. Many of these countries have governments that are often not considered capitalist governments- some are socialist governments. Despite socialist governmental policies, each of these countries permits and encourages economic freedom which is the most basic tenet of capitalism.When listing countries based on economic freedom or lack thereof it is important to consider many factors and not just the politics. Do consider the country's politics, but also consider whether the country is a First World, Second World or Third World country and compare the country's economic policies regarding personal economic freedom and state economic policies. Note that a country need not be considered a First World country to be included as a capitalist country. Each country is considered on its own merits and no country is excluded as a result of poor relations with Western Europe and the United States.
