The best country in the world to do business: For a few years, with Mariano Rajoy at the head of the Government, the so-called ‘brand Spain’ has tried to promote foreign investment in our business ecosystem. Similarly, the initiatives proposed to facilitate entrepreneurship and self-employment (both by the Executive of the PP era and by the current coalition between PSOE and Podemos) have tried to solve a deficit that we have been dragging on since before the arrival of the Democracy: the historical weakness to do business, especially abroad.
Luckily, in recent years our business network has taken the definitive leap and Spain is already one of the best countries in the world both for entrepreneurship and for doing business.
Something that is reflected in the latest ranking of ‘US News’ with the best countries to live in the world in 2022-23, among which is Spain. The study considers up to 65 variables to prepare the list, such as institutional respect for Human Rights, quality of life, or cultural and historical heritage, in which Spain scores especially high. But it also takes into account two aspects that directly affect the business world: the facilities both for entrepreneurship and for companies to operate in the country. And there Spain falls somewhat on the list, to position 21 and 28, respectively. Next, the ‘top ten’.
10. the Netherlands
Its business organization focuses on two focuses: technological innovation and logistics, since it has some of the busiest ports in Europe, such as Rotterdam. It is the tenth-best country to undertake in the world, and the sixth if we take into account the freedom to do business.
9. Australia
It is a country that is not only a place rich in natural environments (which unfortunately fires have been devouring for three months). Australia is one of the most important economic centers in the world, due to its special relationship with the United Kingdom and the USA, as well as its geographical proximity to other ‘hot spots in Asia, such as Singapore or Japan. It is the ninth country on the list of the best places to start a business in the world. That yes, the restrictions of access to foreign human and financial capital makes the country the 14th in this aspect.
8. South Korea
Although South Korea is the 20th country on the list of the best places to live (just behind Spain), it ranks eighth in terms of ease of entrepreneurship. Of course, it falls to 31st place if we talk about freedom to do business.
7. Sweden
Of the Nordic countries, the highest scorer for both ease of entrepreneurship and freedom to do business is Sweden. In both cases, it is in seventh place in the ‘US News’ ranking.
6. Canada
The North American country is one of the countries that offer the most facilities to entrepreneurs and is in sixth place. A situation that, in large part, is due to the fact that it is the third country with the greatest freedom to do business.
5. Switzerland
Switzerland is the best country to live in the world and the fifth with the most possibilities to start a business, thanks in large part to its lax fiscal policy. In fact, it is the second country with the greatest freedom to do business, especially in the financial sector and banking.
4. the United Kingdom
The list also includes the United Kingdom, despite the economic uncertainty that Brexit represents, scheduled for January 31. But in 2019, when the ranking is concerned, it is the fourth-best country to start a business, although it ranks 27th in terms of freedom to do business.
3. the United States
No, the United States is not the best country in the world to start a business… But it does rank third on the list. However, the country’s business model – which combines almost unlimited freedom to create companies with excessive state protectionism for certain productive sectors – makes it the 45th country in terms of freedom to do business.
2. Japan
In Japan something similar happens to the US: although it is the second-best country to start a business, the relatively restrictive business policy relegates it to 25th place in the ranking when we talk about freedom to do business.
1. Germany
And occupying the highest position on the list, Germany is the best country in the world to start a business. The explanation is more sociological than political: contrary to what happens in Spain, the high average salaries mean that the aspiration of the majority of Germans is to work for a large company, instead of starting a business (a good example is that of Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, where 72,000 people work, more than half of the city).
Therefore, due to this lack of entrepreneurs, Germany has very lucrative incentives for those who decide to take the plunge.
