Korea’s National Competitiveness Ranked 22nd Among 66 Countries

The Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS) said on May 9 that Korea’s national competitiveness ranked 22nd among the world’s 66 major countries this year, up three positions from 25th place last year.

The IPS presented the information in a report titled, “The 2005 IPS national competitiveness report” released that day, adding, “Ranked 22nd in 2001 when the report was first published, Korea’s national competitiveness was on a constant decline, ranking 24th in 2002, and 25th in both 2003 and 2004. But the figure has made an upward swing this year for the first time.”

The country ranked high in such sectors as entrepreneurs (11th), experts (17th) conditions for market demand (18th), and the support industry (including infrastructure) (22nd).

On the other hand, it was among the bottom in sectors like politicians/bureaucrats (32nd), conditions for business administration (32nd), workers (61st), and conditions for the factors of production (57th).

Meanwhile, the United States topped the list, followed by Canada (2nd) and the Netherlands (3rd). Japan and China stayed at 19th and 24th, respectively.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com