"This year’s Global Competitiveness Report is published against the backdrop of the deepest global economic
slowdown in generations.What began as a financial crisis in a handful of industrialized economies continues to
spill over into the real economy, engendering massive contractions in consumer demand, rising unemployment,
and mounting protectionist pressures worldwide. (..) In a difficult global economic environment, it is more important than ever for countries to put into place strong fundamentals underpinning economic growth and development. (...) The Report is a contribution to enhancing the understanding of the key factors determining economic growth and to explaining why some countries are more successful than others in raising income levels and opportunities for their respective populations; hence it offers policymakers and business leaders an important tool in the formulation of
improved economic policies and institutional reforms.

This year’s Report features a total of 133 economies, thus providing the most comprehensive assessment of its
kind.The Report contains a detailed profile for each of the economies featured in the study as well as an extensive
section of data tables with global rankings covering over 100 indicators."

Source: Preface.