These economies have the best infrastructure

Well developed infrastructure is a critical factor underpinning economic growth and strength. Effective transport, power and communications networks create the conditions for businesses to grow and the wider economy to function effectively.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2015-16 evaluates the infrastructure of 140 of the world’s economies on various measures – including the quality of road and rail networks and the quality of the electricity supply – to produce an overall global ranking.

For the fifth time in as many years, Hong Kong tops the global top 10. Its consistently high performance is a reflection of the outstanding quality of its facilities across all modes of transportation.

As in last year’s report, Hong Kong is followed by Singapore, in second place. The economy owes its ranking to superb road, port and air transport networks. The Netherlands leapfrogs the United Arab Emirates to complete this year’s top three.

Below Japan, which is in fourth place, European economies dominate the remainder of the ranking, with Switzerland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Spain all taking a place in the top 10.

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Author: Joe Myers is a Digital Content Producer at Formative Content.

Image: A rainbow arches over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour June 19, 2012. REUTERS/Bobby Yip