NPR – Bill Chappell
“The U.S. trails Switzerland and Singapore in economic competitiveness in a new global index that finds America’s infrastructure, health system and primary education all lagging. The World Economic Forum’s index also notes three U.S. strengths: its large market, financial sophistication and labor efficiency. Out of 138 economies worldwide, the U.S. “does not rank in the top 10 on any of the basic requirements pillars (institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education),” this year’s Global Competitiveness Index says. The authors add that the U.S.’ high ranking is supported by its “innovation, business sophistication, market size, financial market development, labor market efficiency, and higher education.” It’s the third straight year at No. 3 for the U.S., which hasn’t ranked No. 1 in global economic competitiveness since 2008. In the past decade, the U.S. has fallen out of the top five twice: in 2006, when it was sixth, and 2012, when it was seventh.”(more)