Ireland moves up on Global Competitiveness Index

Ireland's ranking in the Global Competitiveness Index has risen by one place to stand 23rd out of 138 countries surveyed.  

This is the third year in a row that Ireland has risen in the index, having fallen to 28th position in 2013.  

The index is compiled by the World Economic Forum, best known for its annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

Switzerland, Singapore and the US are ranked as the top three countries, followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden.  

The UK is in seventh place (on pre-Brexit data), with Japan, Hong Kong and Finland completing the top ten.

While European countries occupy six of the top ten places, there is still a pronounced North-South split, with Spain improving one place to 32, Italy falling one place to 44, and Greece dropping five places to 86.  

France, the Euro Area's second biggest economy, moves up one place to 21.

China is the highest ranked of the so-called BRICS countries at 28th place. India has improved by 16 places to 39. Russia and South Africa moved up to 43 and 47 respectively, but Brazil fell six places to 81.

From rte.ie (28/9/2016)