The study lists 58 economies according to 328 criteria that
measure how the nations create and maintain conditions favorable to
businesses -- a formula that had favored the U.S. for 16 years.
"They are so close in the rankings, that it would be probably
better to define them as a leading trio," said Stephane Garelli,
professor at the Lausanne, Switzerland-based IMD business school,
publisher of the World Competitiveness Yearbook.
Despite high unemployment and debt, and continued market
instability, the United States was better placed than European
nations and others to attract new investments and help companies
grow.
"The U.S. has weathered the risk of the financial and economic
crises thanks to the sheer size of its economy, a stronger
leadership in business and an unmatched supremacy in technology,"
Garelli said.
Switzerland and Australia rounded out the top five. Then came
Sweden, Canada, Taiwan, Norway and Malaysia.
China continued its rise in the survey, reaching 18th and
highlighting that it is no longer dependent on foreign markets
buying up its cheap exports. It led fellow emerging economies
India, 31; Brazil, 38; and Russia, 51.
Debt-laden Greece actually improved in the 2010 ranking, rising
six places to 46th.
Venezuela ranked last for the fifth year in a row, preceded by
Ukraine, Romania, Argentina and Croatia.
