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Singapore overtakes the US to become world’s most competitive country, WEF says

CNBC | Chloe Taylor | Oct 8, 2019

Singapore financial district - Singapore overtakes the US to become world’s most competitive country, WEF saysSingapore has overtaken the U.S. to become the most competitive nation in the world, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).

In its 2019 Global Competitiveness Report, the WEF measured the strength of 103 key indicators, such as inflation, digital skills and trade tariffs, across 141 countries.

The key indicators in the report were organized into 12 pillars, which included institutions, macroeconomic stability and health.

The U.S., which held the top spot in 2018′s ranking, dropped into second place this year, although the report’s authors noted that it “remains an innovation powerhouse.”

America received the highest score in the world in several subcategories, including ease of finding skilled employees and venture capital availability, with the U.S. also being ranked higher than any other country in the business dynamism pillar.

However, the country scored relatively low in some categories, with increasing trade tariffs, declining life expectancy and low digital skills among the American population taking a toll on the United States’ overall ranking. The WEF noted that life expectancy in the U.S. is now lower than it is in China, with the U.S. having only the 39th highest life expectancy in the world amid its ongoing opioid crisis.

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Singapore, named the most competitive economy in the world, scored highly for its public sector, labor force, diversity and infrastructure. On life expectancy, Singapore was ranked number one, with newborn children expected to live until the age of 74.

In comparison, life expectancy in the U.S. is 66 years old, while in China it’s 68.

The 10 most competitive countries in the world

  1. Singapore
  2. United States
  3. Hong Kong
  4. Netherlands
  5. Switzerland
  6. Japan
  7. Germany
  8. Sweden
  9. United Kingdom
  10. Denmark

Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Switzerland rounded out the top five, with Hong Kong rising four places from 2018. The WEF’s data collection concluded before political unrest and protests in the territory intensified, according to the organization’s chief economist.

Overall, Asia-Pacific was named the most competitive region in the world, followed by Europe and North America.

The average score out of 100 across the 141 nations was 61, with the WEF claiming that the gap was a greater concern now in the face of a global economic slowdown. Reigning Singapore scored a total of 84.8 points, with second-place America being awarded 83.7 points.

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Best in class highlights

  1. With a score of 84.8 out of 100, Singapore is the country closest to the frontier of competitiveness
  2. Other G20 economies in the top 10 include the United States (2nd), Japan (6th), Germany (7th) and the United Kingdom (9th) while Argentina (83rd, down two places) is the lowest ranked among G20 countries
  3. Asia-Pacific is the most competitive region in the world, followed closely by Europe and North America
  4. The United States may have lost out to Singapore overall, but it remains an innovation powerhouse, ranking 1st on the business dynamism pillar, 2nd on innovation capability, and 1st for finding skilled employees
  5. Nordic countries are among the world’s most technologically advanced, innovative and dynamic while also providing better living conditions and social protection
  6. Denmark, Uruguay and Zimbabwe have increased their shares of renewable sources of energy significantly more than other countries at their respective levels of competitiveness

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