Final answer:
The Economic Freedom of the World index demonstrates a historical trend towards greater economic freedom globally, with more countries moving towards economic freedom than those experiencing a decline, as supported by data from 2015.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Economic Freedom of the World index indicates that in recent years, there has been a trend towards greater economic freedom on a global scale. Although these rankings are based on estimates and might not be perfect, they provide insight into overarching trends. For instance, in 2015, it was observed that 101 out of 178 countries moved towards greater economic freedom, whereas 77 countries experienced a decline in economic freedom. Over the past few decades, this has been the general trend, showing an increase in economic freedom around the world. Such insights are critical as they help economists, policymakers, and the general public understand how economic policies influence prosperity and freedom.