THE COUNTRIES I RECOMMEND YOU DO BUSINESS
Forbes
compiled this list by assessing 146 nations across 11 different
factors: property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption,
freedom (personal, trade and monetary), red tape, investor protection
and stock market performance. Here are the 20 best countries to do
business
20. Slovenia
Despite
having a relatively high unemployment of 13.1pc in a nation of 2m
people, Slovenia ranks 20th on Forbes' list of the best countries to do
business, down from 14th place last year. Its GDP growth of 3pc ties
it in third place for the best economic growth in the top 20.
Spoiler
alert: the US does not make this list after falling four spots to 22nd
place this year due to weaker ratings on tax and investor protection.
The US has fallen for six consecutive years after winning second place
in 2009. Last year, Forbes wrote: "For all of its financial might,
the US lags behind many other developed nations when it comes to its
business climate, and the gap is growing."
19. Estonia
With GDP growth almost twice as strong as last year, at 2.9pc, the eastern European country gains three places
18. Germany
Germany – which has the highest GDP on the list, of $3.86 trillion – rises two places on this year's ranking
17. Lithuania
Another
riser, up from 22nd place last year – beating Israel, Luxembourg and
Japan, which made the top 25 but couldn't quite crack the best 20
16. Portugal
Fancy
running a business overlooking hills of sunny vineyards? Up five places
from 2014, Portugal grew its economy by 0.9pc, compared to a 1.8pc
decline last year. However, at 13.9pc, unemployment remains the
highest among the top 20
The second country so far to slip down the ranking, Belgium drops three places
14. Australia
Two places higher than last year, Australia has the second-highest inflation in the top 20 at 2.5pc
13. Iceland
Iceland – which has the smallest GDP in the top 20, of $16bn – also climbs two places on the Forbes list. It has a population of just 300,000
12. Switzerland
Switzerland slips three places in 2015
11. Hong Kong
At 4.4pc, Hong Kong has the highest inflation in the top 20. It is the biggest faller on this year's list, losing its spot in second place from 2014
10. United Kingdom
The UK climbs three places to enter the top 10 in 2015. It has the second-highest GDP on the list, at $2.95 trillion, and the lowest trade balance, at -5.9pc
9. Netherlands
Two places higher than last year, Netherlands swoops in at ninth place
8. Singapore
Holding on to eighth place, Singapore has the highest GDP per capita on the list, at $83,100, and the highest trade balance, at 19.1pc. It is the highest-ranking Asian country on the list
7. Canada
Canada – which has the third highest GDP in the top 20, at $1.78 trillion – slips one place from last year
Despite being the only country on the list to see its economy shrink since last year, Finland climbs four places
5. Sweden
Sweden holds steady in fifth place
4. Ireland
Ireland is another non-mover on the list, despite seeing the strongest GDP growth (5.2pc) among the top 20
3. Norway
Norway reaches an all-time high, rising four places since last year to round out the top three. At $67,200, its GDP per capita is the second-highest in the top 20
Hong Kong's nine-rung fall allows New Zealand to move up one slot to second place, although it still doesn't reach top spot, which it held in 2012
1. Denmark
For the second consecutive year – and fifth time in eight years – Denmark has been declared the best country in the world to do business. Forbes said Denmark, one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world, ranks well for its personal and monetary freedom as well as low corruption. There are only four procedures needed to start a new business.
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