The Most Competitive Economies in the World

6. Germany
GCI score: 5.48
GDP per capita: $43,742 (20th highest)
Debt as a pct. of GDP: 81.5 Percent (19th highest)
Individuals using Internet: 83.0 Percent (12th highest)
Infant mortality rates: 3.4 per 1,000 live births (17th lowest)

Germany was ranked third in the world for business. The country ranked first for its ability to produce a broad range of goods and services across the value chain — from low value goods like foodstuffs to high value goods like cars. Germany also ranked eighth in developing business clusters, meaning groups of interconnected businesses that are located in close proximity to each other. Germany ranked fourth in high spending on research and development.

5. The Netherlands
GCI score: 5.50
GDP per capita: $50,355 (10th highest)
Debt as a pct. of GDP: 66.2 Percent (35th highest)
Individuals using Internet: 92.3 Percent (3rd highest)
Infant mortality rates: 3.6 per 1,000 live births (21st lowest)

When it comes to superiority in business, the Netherlands is the strongest. The country ranks fourth and fifth respectively out of all 144 countries in terms of health and primary education. It is the highest rated country in terms of marketing strategies. The fact that primary education enrollment is almost universal boosts the health and primary education rankings. Access to financing is the only hurdle for this country. Regardless of this perception, the Netherlands ranked sixth out of 144 countries in terms to the availability of financial services.