The Most Competitive Economies in the World

2. Singapore
GCI score: 5.67
GDP per capita: $49,271 (13th highest)
Debt as a pct. of GDP: 100.8 Percent (10th highest)
Individuals using Internet: 75.0 Percent (24th highest)
Infant mortality rates: 2.1 per 1,000 live births (3rd lowest)

If Americans have had it with their elected officials, they may want to consider moving to Singapore — it has the highest score of all 144 countries in terms of the quality of its legal and administrative frameworks. Notably, the country has the best score of all countries in terms of public trust in politicians, minimizing wastefulness in government spending and transparency in government policymaking. Meanwhile, the U.S. scores 54th in terms of public trust, 76th in wastefulness and 56th in transparency. Singapore also ranks at the top for goods market efficiency, and second in infrastructure, higher education and training, labor market efficiency, and financial market development. The country’s 5.2 percent rate of inflation is dampening its competitiveness as more residents cite increasing costs as the biggest hurdle to doing business.

1. Switzerland
GCI score: 5.72
GDP per capita: $81,161 (4th highest)
Debt as a pct. of GDP: 48.6 Percent (51st highest)
Individuals using Internet: 85.2 Percent (10th highest)
Infant mortality rates: 4.1 per 1,000 live births (24th lowest)

Switzerland is the most globally competitive country. Switzerland received a score of 6.6 out of 7 in the quality of its infrastructure, the highest of all 144 countries. Switzerland also scored at the top in cooperation in labor-employer relations and the availability of financial services. The country scored very well in higher education, receiving the highest score of all countries in quality of the educational system, availability of research and training services, and extent of staff training.