In its annual Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 2015-2016 report, the World Economic Forum ranked Lebanon 113th globally (Switzerland being 1st) out of 140 countries and 10th out of the Arab counties ranked.
The GCI is divided into three main categories; “Basic Requirements”, “Efficiency Enhancers”, and “Innovation and Sophistication Factors”. These sub-indices are further divided into 12 pillars, from Health and Primary Education, Macro Environment, Goods Market Efficiency, Labor market Efficiency to Innovation.
For instance, Lebanon ranked 121 in “Basic Requirements” category. This is on the back of the country ranking a lowly 139 in Macro Environment, in addition to “Institutions” being placed 128. However, Lebanon would have been ranked much lower if it weren’t for its competitiveness in “Health and Primary Education”, where it ranked 30th out of 140.
Lebanon retained the 77th place in the “Efficiency Enhancers” category. It was good in terms of Goods Market Efficiency, in which Lebanon ranked 56th. On the contrary, Lebanon showed poor drive in regarding Labor Market Efficiency ranking 109 out of 140 countries.
In “Innovation and Sophistication Factor” category, Lebanon was placed 67th as it ranked in Business Sophistication at 61st position and yet Innovation pushed the ranking downwards, as it was placed in the 95th position.
Lebanon’s Global Competitiveness Index Ranking 2015-2016
Rank (out of 140) | Score (1-7) | ||
Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) | 113 | 3.8 | |
Basic Requirements | 121 | 3.7 | |
Institutions | 128 | 3.2 | |
Infrastructure | 116 | 2.7 | |
Macro-Economic Environment | 139 | 2.6 | |
Health and Primary Education | 30 | 6.3 | |
Efficiency Enhancers | 71 | 4.0 | |
Higher Education Training | 58 | 4.5 | |
Goods Market Efficiency | 56 | 4.4 | |
Labor Market Efficiency | 109 | 3.8 | |
Financial Market Development | 78 | 3.8 | |
Technological Readiness | 66 | 4.0 | |
Market Size | 77 | 3.6 | |
Innovation and Sophistication Factors | 67 | 3.6 | |
Business Sophistication | 61 | 4.1 | |
Innovation | 95 | 3.1 |
Source: World Economic Forum