Nordic economies world’s “most networked”

Networked Readiness Index 2008-2009. Photo: www.weforum.org.

The Nordic countries continue to be the most  “networked ” economies in the world, but the U.S. and Singapore are close behind, according to the latest rankings by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Denmark and Sweden took the top slots for the third year running, followed by the U.S., Singapore, Switzerland and the three other Nordic bations, Finland, Iceland and Norway. The Netherlands and Canada completed the top 10.

In its annual global information technology report, Geneva-based WEF said good education fundamentals and high levels of technological readiness and innovation were essential engines of growth needed to overcome the current crisis.  Irene Mia, senior WEF economist, said the success of countries with extensive access to information and communication technologies (ICT) stands as a reminder for leaders in both the public and private sectors not to lose focus on ICT as an important enabler of growth and competitiveness in times of crisis.

The WEF’s  “networked readiness index ” used statistical data and its business executive survey to rank 134 economies on ICT, including infrastructure and regulations, the readiness of individuals, businesses and governments to make use of ICT, and their actual use of the technologies available. The UK, which lost its place in the top 10 last year, slipped further this year to 15th, but this was still better than any other large European nation, such as France (19), Germany (20) and Spain (34).

Source: Financial Times