Despite global market turmoil, many of the same countries, including the U.S., remain atop the World Economic Forum ranking in 2008
The annual study from the Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF) assigns a score to a broad range of criteria affecting economies’ business climates. It then categorizes them into 12 “pillars,” including the size and efficiency of markets, innovation, infrastructure, business sophistication, and the quality of health and education.
Of the record 134 countries surveyed this year, the majority at the top of the list remain European, while the U.S. continues to hold on to the No. 1 spot and Canada squeezes into the top 10.
Here is the Top Countries in Global Competitiveness
No. 1: U.S.
Market Size: 1
Innovation: 1
Education/Training: 5
No. 2: Switzerland
Market Size: 37
Innovation: 3
Education/Training: 7
No. 3: Denmark
Market Size: 46
Innovation: 10
Education/Training: 2
No. 4: Sweden
Market Size: 32
Innovation: 5
Education/Training: 3
No. 5: Singapore
Market Size: 53
Innovation: 11
Education/Training: 8
No. 6: Finland
Market Size: 50
Innovation: 2
Education/Training: 1
No. 7: Germany
Market Size: 5
Innovation: 8
Education/Training: 21
No. 8: Netherlands
Market Size: 20
Innovation: 12
Education/Training: 11
No. 9: Japan
Market Size: 3
Innovation: 4
Education/Training: 23
No. 10: Canada
Market Size: 13
Innovation: 13
Education/Training: 9
No. 11: Hong Kong
Market Size: 38
Innovation: 24
Education/Training: 28
No. 12: Britain
Market Size Rank: 6
Innovation Rank: 17
Education/Training Rank: 18
Top Countries in Global Competitiveness