The Global Competitiveness Report is a yearly report published by the World
The Global Competitiveness Report is a yearly report published by the World

Economic Forum. Since 2004, the Global Competitiveness Report ranks countries
Economic Forum. Since 2004, the Global Competitiveness Report ranks countries

based on the Global Competitiveness Index, developed by Xavier Sala-i-Martin
based on the Global Competitiveness Index, developed by Xavier Sala-i-Martin

and Elsa V. Artadi. Before that, the macroeconomic ranks were based on
and Elsa V. Artadi. Before that, the macroeconomic ranks were based on

Jeffrey Sachs's Growth Development Index and the microeconomic ranks were based
Jeffrey Sachs's Growth Development Index and the microeconomic ranks were based

on Michael Porter's Business Competitiveness Index. The Global
on Michael Porter's Business Competitiveness Index. The Global

Competitiveness Index integrates the macroeconomic and the micro/business
Competitiveness Index integrates the macroeconomic and the micro/business

aspects of competitiveness into a single index.
aspects of competitiveness into a single index.

The report "assesses the ability of countries to provide high levels of
The report "assesses the ability of countries to provide high levels of

prosperity to their citizens. This in turn depends on how productively a
prosperity to their citizens. This in turn depends on how productively a

country uses available resources. Therefore, the Global Competitiveness
country uses available resources. Therefore, the Global Competitiveness

Index measures the set of institutions, policies, and factors that set the
Index measures the set of institutions, policies, and factors that set the

sustainable current and medium-term levels of economic prosperity."
sustainable current and medium-term levels of economic prosperity."

Since 2010, Switzerland has led the ranking as the most competitive economy
Since 2010, Switzerland has led the ranking as the most competitive economy

in the world. The United States, which ranked first for several years, fell to
in the world. The United States, which ranked first for several years, fell to

fifth place in 2009-10 due to the consequences of the financial crisis of
fifth place in 2009-10 due to the consequences of the financial crisis of

2007–2010 and its macroeconomic instability.
2007–2010 and its macroeconomic instability.

Description Since 2004, the report ranks the world's
Description Since 2004, the report ranks the world's

nations according to the Global Competitiveness Index. The report states
nations according to the Global Competitiveness Index. The report states

that it is based on the latest theoretical and empirical research. It
that it is based on the latest theoretical and empirical research. It

is made up of over 110 variables, of which two thirds come from the Executive
is made up of over 110 variables, of which two thirds come from the Executive

Opinion Survey, and one third comes from publicly available sources such as the
Opinion Survey, and one third comes from publicly available sources such as the

United Nations. The variables are organized into twelve pillars, with each
United Nations. The variables are organized into twelve pillars, with each

pillar representing an area considered as an important determinant of
pillar representing an area considered as an important determinant of

competitiveness. One part of the report is the Executive
competitiveness. One part of the report is the Executive

Opinion Survey which is a survey of a representative sample of business
Opinion Survey which is a survey of a representative sample of business

leaders in their respective countries. Respondent numbers have increased every
leaders in their respective countries. Respondent numbers have increased every

year and is currently just over 13,500 in 142 countries.
year and is currently just over 13,500 in 142 countries.

The report notes that as a nation develops, wages tend to increase, and
The report notes that as a nation develops, wages tend to increase, and

that in order to sustain this higher income, labor productivity must improve
that in order to sustain this higher income, labor productivity must improve

for the nation to be competitive. In addition, what creates productivity in
for the nation to be competitive. In addition, what creates productivity in

Sweden is necessarily different from what drives it in Ghana. Thus, the GCI
Sweden is necessarily different from what drives it in Ghana. Thus, the GCI

separates countries into three specific stages: factor-driven,
separates countries into three specific stages: factor-driven,

efficiency-driven, and innovation-driven, each implying a
efficiency-driven, and innovation-driven, each implying a

growing degree of complexity in the operation of the economy.
growing degree of complexity in the operation of the economy.

In the factor-driven stage countries compete based on their factor
In the factor-driven stage countries compete based on their factor

endowments, primarily unskilled labor and natural resources. Companies compete
endowments, primarily unskilled labor and natural resources. Companies compete

on the basis of prices and sell basic products or commodities, with their low
on the basis of prices and sell basic products or commodities, with their low

productivity reflected in low wages. There are twelve pillars of
productivity reflected in low wages. There are twelve pillars of

competitiveness. These are: 1. institutions 2. appropriate
competitiveness. These are: 1. institutions 2. appropriate

infrastructure 3. a stable macroeconomic framework 4. good health and primary
infrastructure 3. a stable macroeconomic framework 4. good health and primary

education 5. higher education and training 6. efficient goods markets 7.
education 5. higher education and training 6. efficient goods markets 7.

efficient labor markets 8. developed financial markets 9. the ability to
efficient labor markets 8. developed financial markets 9. the ability to

harness the benefits of existing technologies 10. and its market size,
harness the benefits of existing technologies 10. and its market size,

both domestic and international 11. by producing new and different goods using
both domestic and international 11. by producing new and different goods using

the most sophisticated production processes 12. innovation
the most sophisticated production processes 12. innovation

To maintain competitiveness at this stage of development, competitiveness
To maintain competitiveness at this stage of development, competitiveness

hinges mainly on well-functioning public and private institutions, appropriate
hinges mainly on well-functioning public and private institutions, appropriate

infrastructure, a stable macroeconomic framework, and good health and primary
infrastructure, a stable macroeconomic framework, and good health and primary

education. As wages rise with advancing
education. As wages rise with advancing

development, countries move into the efficiency-driven stage of development,
development, countries move into the efficiency-driven stage of development,

when they must begin to develop more efficient production processes and
when they must begin to develop more efficient production processes and

increase product quality. At this point, competitiveness becomes increasingly
increase product quality. At this point, competitiveness becomes increasingly

driven by higher education and training, efficient goods markets, efficient labor
driven by higher education and training, efficient goods markets, efficient labor

markets, developed financial markets, the ability to harness the benefits of
markets, developed financial markets, the ability to harness the benefits of

existing technologies, and its market size, both domestic and international.
existing technologies, and its market size, both domestic and international.

Finally, as countries move into the innovation-driven stage, they are only
Finally, as countries move into the innovation-driven stage, they are only

able to sustain higher wages and a higher standard of living if their
able to sustain higher wages and a higher standard of living if their

businesses are able to compete by providing new or unique products. At
businesses are able to compete by providing new or unique products. At

this stage, companies must compete by producing new and different goods using
this stage, companies must compete by producing new and different goods using

the most sophisticated production processes and through innovation.
the most sophisticated production processes and through innovation.

Thus, the impact of each pillar on competitiveness varies across countries,
Thus, the impact of each pillar on competitiveness varies across countries,

in function of their stages of economic development. Therefore, in the
in function of their stages of economic development. Therefore, in the

calculation of the GCI, pillars are given different weights depending on the
calculation of the GCI, pillars are given different weights depending on the

per capita income of the nation. The weights used are the values that best
per capita income of the nation. The weights used are the values that best

explain growth in recent years For example, the sophistication and
explain growth in recent years For example, the sophistication and

innovation factors contribute 10% to the final score in factor and
innovation factors contribute 10% to the final score in factor and

efficiency-driven economies, but 30% in innovation-driven economies.
efficiency-driven economies, but 30% in innovation-driven economies.

Intermediate values are used for economies in transition between stages.
Intermediate values are used for economies in transition between stages.

The Global Competitiveness Index's annual reports are somewhat similar to
The Global Competitiveness Index's annual reports are somewhat similar to

the Ease of Doing Business Index and the Indices of Economic Freedom, which also
the Ease of Doing Business Index and the Indices of Economic Freedom, which also

look at factors affecting economic growth.
look at factors affecting economic growth.

2015–2016 rankings This is the top 30 of the 2015–2016
2015–2016 rankings This is the top 30 of the 2015–2016

report 2014–2015 rankings
report 2014–2015 rankings

This is the top 30 of the 2014–2015 report
This is the top 30 of the 2014–2015 report

2013–2014 rankings This is the top 30 of the 2013–2014
2013–2014 rankings This is the top 30 of the 2013–2014

report 2012–2013 rankings
report 2012–2013 rankings

This is the top 30 of the 2012–2013 report
This is the top 30 of the 2012–2013 report

2011–2012 rankings This is the top 30 of the 2011–2012
2011–2012 rankings This is the top 30 of the 2011–2012

report 2010-2011 rankings
report 2010-2011 rankings

The following are the top 30 countries in the 2010-2011 Report.
The following are the top 30 countries in the 2010-2011 Report.

2009-2010 rankings The following are the top 30 countries
2009-2010 rankings The following are the top 30 countries

in the 2009-2010 Report. 2008-2009 rankings
in the 2009-2010 Report. 2008-2009 rankings

The following are the top 30 countries in the 2008-2009 Report.
The following are the top 30 countries in the 2008-2009 Report.

You can find the computation and structure of the GCI p 49-50 of the
You can find the computation and structure of the GCI p 49-50 of the

Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2013 See also
Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2013 See also

Competitiveness List of national quality awards
Competitiveness List of national quality awards

World Competitiveness Yearbook References
World Competitiveness Yearbook References

External links "Interactive Global Competitiveness
External links "Interactive Global Competitiveness

Report" Global Competitiveness Report
Report" Global Competitiveness Report

Top 20 countries of 2010 by competitiveness, United Explanations
Top 20 countries of 2010 by competitiveness, United Explanations

http:www.imd.orgpublications
http:www.imd.orgpublications