No. 28 France

Change Since 2008 Ranking: -3

Real Per Capita GDP: $33,693

Real GDP Growth: 0.7%

World Competitiveness Rankings
Economy: 17
Government Efficiency: 46
Business Efficiency: 42
Infrastructure: 14

France boasts one of the most educated workforces in the world and ranked No. 5 in the survey for foreign direct investment. Yet Europe's third-largest economy fares less well in crucial issues such as labor flexibility and bureaucratic hurdles to start a business. France also faces a worryingly high deficit as officials try to prop up local industrial sectors.