England was ranked seventh for child independence in the study of 18,000 seven- to 15-year-olds in 16 countries, by University of Westminster academics.
Freeing children to go out alone in their local area benefited their health and development, the researchers said.
Fear over traffic was the top reason for restricting freedom, they added.
The children and their parents were surveyed between 2010 and 2012 about what they were allowed to do in their local neighbourhoods without supervision.
This included:
The study said: "A large proportion of children under 11 years old in most of the countries do not have the the freedom to get about their local area.
"Even the oldest children are restricted in what they are allowed to do, at an age when many of the rights of adulthood are close to being granted, including the right to drive vehicles on the road once the test has been passed."
Overall, Finland was found to be the top-performing country on independent mobility, with Germany coming second.
According to the survey, most Finns can, without supervision:
In England, most primary school children are allowed to cross roads without supervision but only 28% to travel home from school and even fewer to go out after dark, travel on local buses or walk to places other than school.
Even at secondary school, less than 25% are allowed out alone after dark.
Ben Shaw, director of the Policy Studies Institute, said: "Obviously, we've got to protect children but part of their development is that we allow them to gain independence.
"People see the change from primary school to secondary school as the time to do it, but not having them do it earlier means there is a spike in road accidents at this age."

The Conservative government lead by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper had asked Canada's Supreme Court to hear an appeal of that ruling.
Debate over the niqab came to a head during the 2015 Canadian elections.
Mr Harper was accused of using the issue stir up fears against Muslims.
Newly elected Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opposed the appeal during his campaign.
The official court application for the appeal has been discontinued, officials have said, according to the Canadian Press.
"Canada's diversity is among its greatest strengths, and the Liberals are ensuring that successful citizenship continue to be included in the Canadian family," Justice Minister Jody-Wilson Raybould and Immigration Minister John McCallum said in a statement.
Zunera Ishaq, a Pakistani-born woman, had challenged the Conservative government's law against wearing niqabs when swearing an oath to become a Canadian citizen and won.
While serving as prime minister, Mr Harper angered many when he pledged to set up a police hotline to report "barbaric cultural practices" after taking a hard line on the niqab debate.

On Friday's show, journalist Camilla Long made claims about how often Mr Farage had visited Thanet South, where he is standing for election.
UKIP said that broke a law that bans false statements about candidates.
The BBC said the show often made jokes at the expense of politicians. Kent Police said it would not take action.
Camilla Long had visited the constituency for an article published in the Sunday Times last month.
UKIP advisor Raheem Kassam said: "Camilla Long made false statements about a candidate at this election.
"The BBC chose to air it. If this isn't a breach of Section 106 of the Representation of People Act then we don't know what is."
The law says it is illegal to make a "false statement of fact in relation to the candidate's personal character or conduct" before or during an election.
However, Kent Police said: "It was suggested that the comments breached the Representation of the People Act.
"The matter has been reviewed by officers but there's no evidence of any offences and there will be no further action."
A BBC statement said Britain had "a proud tradition of satire".
It added: "Everyone knows that the contributors on Have I Got News for You regularly make jokes at the expense of politicians of all parties."
UKIP has also reportedly complained to the Metropolitan Police, although a spokesperson for that force said she had no information about such a complaint.
The full list of candidates standing for election in Thanet South can be found here.
Anxious parents in England give their children less freedom to play and go outside than those in many other European countries, research suggests.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
The Liberal government in Canada has abandoned a legal challenge that sought to require women to remove their niqabs or face coverings during citizenship ceremonies.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
UKIP has complained to the police over comments about leader Nigel Farage on an episode of BBC One's topical quiz Have I Got News For You.