10 Best Countries for Ease of Doing Business in 2013

I regularly feature country rankings based on various factors like the best country to live, smartest countries, the happiest countries, the  most peaceful countries, the most sustainable countries, the friendliest countries, the most charitable countries, the most prosperous countries, the best countries for quality of life, the best countries for business, the top countries for life expectancy, the best countries for working women, the best country for world travel & tourism, the best countries for human development, the top countries for Clean Capitalism, the best country for child well-being, the best countries from social progress, the best countries for higher education, the most popular countries, the least corrupt countries, the best countries for paid vacation days, the countries with the best reputation and the best countries for global professionals. Although some of these lists are light-hearted, others can serve a real purpose like today’s 10 best countries for ease of doing business taken from the 10th edition of the Doing Business report co-published by The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.

The Doing Business report “seeks to measure business regulations for domestic firms through an objective lens” by presenting “quantitative indicators on the regulations that apply to firms at different stages of their life cycle.” The data collected for the Doing Business report was from 185 economies and based on 2 areas which included ten indicators: 1) Complexity and cost of regulatory processes (starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, paying taxes, trading across borders); and 2) Strength of legal institutions (protecting investors, getting credit, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency). Based on this data, the 10 best countries to do business in 2013:

Click image for complete Doing Business report

1. Singapore – Singapore maintained its 1st place ranking for the third year in a row.
2. Hong Kong SAR, China – Hong Kong SAR was also able to keep its 2nd place spot for a third year.
3. New Zealand – This is the third year that New Zealand has ranked 3rd for ease of doing business.
4. United States – Like the top three on this list, the US has been ranked 4th for three straight years.
5. Denmark – Denmark is another country that has held its position on this list for three straight years.
6. Norway – Norway maintained its 6th place finish for the second year.
7. United Kingdom – The UK was able to hold its 7th place ranking for a second year.
8. Korea, Rep. – The Korea, Rep. held its 8th place finish for a second straight year.
9. Georgia – Georgia moved up seven spots from 16th in 2012.
10. Australia – Australia moved up five positions from their 2012 ranking of 15th.

I have to admit that I am partial to lists where Canada ranks in the top 10 but for ease of doing business, Canada came in at (a disappointing) 17th position. In the 2012 Doing Business report Canada ranked 13th and in the 2011 edition, Canada came in at the 11th spot so there has definitely been a downward trend. The comprehensive nature of the Doing Business report helps isolate the areas that need development in order to improve the ease of doing business. These results could also sway a business from relocating or expanding into a country. Hopefully Canada will take heed.

____________________________________________________________________________________

For nonprofit, CSR business, Canada and other news, please connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin or subscribe to our RSS feed. Miratel Solutions is a Canada call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional fundraising services including telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery services, donation caging, donation processing and other donor management services. We are committed to our CSR business values and advancing the missions of the non-profits we proudly serve.