What are the findings for the US or regions such as Africa or Asia?
The US ranks 9th overall, though it is the top-ranked country among the world’s 25 most populous nations. It leads the world in entrepreneurship and innovation, and it ranks 2nd globally on how well its democratic institutions foster an environment conducive to economic growth. It also ranks especially high on its educational institutions’ effect on economic growth, and on the way in which personal freedom and social capital affect quality of life. Africa, as a whole, anchors the bottom of the Index, mired by very low governance and health rankings. South Africa and Botswana are the exceptions, ranking 51st and 56th respectively. Asian countries generally tend to perform better on economic measures than on measures of governance, freedom and social capital, with Hong Kong and Singapore as the primary examples. Asia’s main story in this year’s Index is that India, ranked 46th, significantly outpaces China, which ranks 75th. India’s superior performance in governance, freedom, and social
