Determining Factors That Make The Best Economies

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After sliding in the rankings for four consecutive years, the United States moved up two places in the World Economic Forum?s competitiveness ranking, from seventh last year to fifth in 2013. A combination of factors, including improving financial markets and a strong university system, helped the U.S. improve, despite its weak macroeconomic environment.

> GCI score: 5.37
> GDP per capita: $38,589 (23rd highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 90.3% (13th highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 87.0% (11th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Access to financing

The United Kingdom, considered to be the eighth most competitive last year, has fallen by two places. The world?s eighth largest economy by GDP has some of the most efficient labor practices ? the U.K. ranks fourth for its ability to attract talent and fifth in overall labor market efficiency. The quality of higher education and training in the U.K. is not groundbreaking, but the country has some of the best management schools and ranks among the top countries around the world in terms of Internet access in schools. The biggest obstacle to doing business is access to financing, overwhelmingly chosen by survey respondents ? well above tax rates and government bureaucracy, both tied for the next most selected factor. During the financial crisis, Britain had to bail out two of the country?s largest banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, which remain state-owned.

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> GCI score: 5.40
> GDP per capita: $46,736 (13th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 237.9% (the highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 79.1% (24th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Tax rates

Japan received top marks for business sophistication due to an abundance of local suppliers, highly sophisticated production processes and its prominent role in the international distribution of goods and services. Companies in Japan ? the fourth largest economy in the world ? spent considerable amounts on research and development, ranking only behind first place Switzerland. Tax rates were reported to be the most problematic factor for doing business, according to the WEF?s survey. However, tax hikes may be on the horizon as part of the nation?s ?Abenomics? plan, pushed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to combine aggressive economic stimulus with structural reform.

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8. Netherlands > GCI score: 5.42
> GDP per capita: $46,142 (14th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 71.7% (31st highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 93.0% (4th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Access to financing7. Hong Kong (SAR) > GCI score: 5.47
> GDP per capita: $36,667 (25th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 32.4% (42nd lowest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 72.8% (33rd highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Insufficient capacity to innovate6. Sweden > GCI score: 5.48
> GDP per capita: $55,158 (8th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 38.0% (62nd lowest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 94.0% (3rd highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Restrictive labor regulations5. United States > GCI score: 5.48
> GDP per capita: $49,922 (11th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 106.5% (9th highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 81.0% (20th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Tax regulations4. Germany > GCI score: 5.51
> GDP per capita: $41,513 (21st highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 82.0% (19th highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 84.0% (16th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Tax regulations3. Finland > GCI score: 5.54
> GDP per capita: $46,098 (16th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 53.3% (48th highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 91.0% (7th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Restrictive labor regulations2. Singapore > GCI score: 5.61
> GDP per capita: $51,162 (10th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 111.0% (8th highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 74.2% (29th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Restrictive labor regulations1. Switzerland > GCI score: 5.67
> GDP per capita: $79,033 (4th highest)
> Debt as a pct. of GDP: 49.1% (59th highest)
> Pct. of residents using Internet: 85.2% (13th highest)
> Biggest problem in doing business: Inadequately educated workforce. 24/7 Wall St.:

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