Poland retains 41st place in global competitiveness league

2012-09-05



Poland ranks 41^st in the world in terms of the competitiveness of its economy, according to the latest edition of an annual ranking by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This is unchanged from last year.
In its Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013, released on 5 September, the WEF notes that Poland “displays a fairly even performance across all 12 pillars of competitiveness”, singling out as strengths the country’s market size (for which it ranks 19^th in the world), educational standards (20^th on the quality of education sub-pillar), and a well developed financial sector (37^th). To further enhance its competitiveness, however, Poland will need above all to significantly upgrade its transport infrastructure (103^rd), notwithstanding the progress made in the run up to Euro 2012; and improve aspects of its institutional framework, most notably the overall efficiency of government (116^th) and government regulation, such as tax or labour laws (131^st), the report says. A stronger focus on R&D and innovation and collaboration between universities and the private sector will also be necessary for the country to enter “a more future-oriented development path”, according to the WEF.
As in previous surveys, Poland’s rank is highest (28^th out of 144 countries) on the sub-index of “efficiency enhancers”, which includes parameters such as higher education and training, the efficiency of goods and labour markets, financial market sophistication, technological readiness and market size. By contrast, it scores a mediocre 61^st both on “basic requirements” which include institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic stability and health and primary education; as well as on “innovation and business sophistication factors”.
Two countries from the Central and Eastern Europe region were ranked higher than Poland: Estonia (34^th, down one notch) and the Czech Republic (39^th, also one point lower). Slovakia fell two places to 71^st, while Hungary slumped to 60^th from 48^th.
Switzerland retains the mantle of the world’s most competitive economy. Singapore remained in second place, while Finland overtook Sweden to claim the third spot. The Netherlands scored fifth, Germany sixth and the United States seventh.
The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2012 ranks 144 economies according to more than 100 indicators grouped in 12 “pillars of competitiveness”.