Argentina is the third least competitive country in the world

Only Venezuela, which has just recognized the devastation of its economy, and Mongolia surpbad Argentina in the list of the least competitive countries in the world, published in the "World Competitiveness Ranking" established each year by the Swiss business school IMD since 1989. Business School

The ranking, which began in 1989, evaluates 63 economies with 235 indicators. Measures include figures such as unemployment, economic growth and public spending on health and education, as well as informal data from a survey of international business executives on issues such as social cohesion, globalization and corruption.

Savings were badessed in four categories: economic performance, infrastructure, government effectiveness, and business efficiency. Argentina appears in position 61, losing five positions compared to the last edition.

Since entering the rankings in 1994, he has always been in the last places, falling to second place in the less competitive countries between 2002 and 2004, just after the crisis that caused the fall of the government of Fernando De La Rúa. There were improvements in 2012 and 2013, and after that, they only went down.

In general, Singapore has overthrown the United States and is at the top of the list thanks to its advanced technological infrastructure, the availability of skilled labor, favorable immigration laws and the effective forms of creating new businesses.

The United States, for its part, even though it continues to dominate infrastructure and economic performance, is losing its privileged position due to rising fuel prices, weaker exports of high technology and dollar value fluctuations third place

"In this year of great uncertainty in global markets due to the rapidly changing international political landscape as well as trade relations, the quality of institutions seems to be a unifying element to increase prosperity. A strong institutional framework gives businesses the stability they need to invest and innovate, ensuring a better quality of life for citizens, "said Arturo Bris, professor and director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, responsible for preparing the ranking.

"In a year of great uncertainty in global markets due to the rapid evolution of the international political landscape as well as trade relations, the quality of institutions seems to be the unifying element of prosperity. ensures stability so that companies invest and innovate, thus ensuring a better quality of life for citizens, "explained Arturo Bris according to Perfil.

Hong Kong in turn maintains its second position, aided by a favorable environment of fiscal and commercial policy and access to corporate finance. The other top 10 places are occupied by Switzerland (4), the United Arab Emirates (5), the Netherlands (6), Ireland (7), Denmark (8), Sweden (9) and Qatar (10). He managed to get into the top 10 for the first time since 2013.

Indonesia stands out among the strong results of the Asia-Pacific region. The largest economy in Southeast Asia recorded the largest increase in the region, rising from 11 to 32nd position for greater government efficiency and improved infrastructure and business conditions.

Thailand gained five places out of 25, thanks to an increase in foreign direct investment and productivity. Japan, meanwhile, lost five places in the face of weak economic growth, high government debt and weakening trade conditions. The situation was more mixed for the European economies.

The United Kingdom fell to 23rd from last year's 20th position, which IMD attributed to Brexit uncertainties. Norway came out of the top 10 and Denmark and the Netherlands fell two places, even though they remained in the 10 most competitive economies. Ireland has climbed five places to seventh place while Switzerland has climbed a spot to remain the most competitive European economy.

Saudi Arabia is the country that got the most land in the list by increasing from 13 to 26 out of 13, thanks to a major investment in education. For its part, besieged Venezuela occupies the last place. It is ranked 63rd because of the political and economic crisis and the consequences of inflation, low access to credit and the weakness of the economy. In the Global Competitiveness Ranking, Mongolia repeats in 62nd place.

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