NEWS
The economic downturn that's swept the globe has crushed financial markets, exploded unemployment and shaken confidence in the banking system. The disaster isn't shared equally, though.
Some countries are in a much better position than others to rebound from the current malaise by attracting entrepreneurs, investors and workers.
Who are they? Our fourth annual Best Countries for Business ranking looks at business conditions in 127 economies.
1. Denmark
2. United States
3. Canada
4. Singapore
5. New Zealand
6. United Kingdom
7. Sweden
8. Australia
9. Hong Kong
10. Norway
This is not a tally of economies with high gross domestic product growth, or low unemployment. The goal is to quantify for entrepreneurs and investors the often-qualified information about dynamic economies and what they would consider desirable conditions for business.
Taking care of investors, with laws assuring recourse for minority shareholders in cases of corporate misdeeds, is also important. As a barometer for corruption, Transparency International examines the number and frequency of incidents where corporate assets are misused for personal gain.
Expertise, research and published reports--from the Heritage Foundation, World Economic Forum, World Bank, Transparency International, Freedom House, Deloitte Tax, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Central Intelligence Agency - all contributed vital analyzes of various socioeconomic indicators on the countries included.
Published: 19 March 2009
