Singapore takes second spot in WEF competitiveness ranking

Geneva

SWITZERLAND topped the World Economic Forum's (WEF) competitiveness ranking for a seventh consecutive year, with Singapore and the United States second and third.

"Nurturing innovation and talent" has kept those three nations on top, according to a report on 140 countries published on Wednesday by the Geneva-based WEF. "In many countries, too few people have access to high-quality education and training, and labour markets are not flexible enough."

Many emerging markets have failed to improve their competitiveness since the global financial crisis, according to the forum, which cut Brazil's ranking by 18 places t…