United States  

America’s household spending is the highest in the world as a proportion of GDP, although domestic savings rates are only 14% of income, ranking the country 82nd in the world. Levels of capital stock per worker are in the top 10, and inflation was 3% in 2007. The US economy focuses on high value added goods and services, and is not dependent on exports of raw materials. However, its ratio of export prices relative to the cost of imported goods is weaker, ranking the country 78th in the world. The US also attracts relatively little foreign direct investment, which accounts for just 2% of GDP, ranking the country 83rd on this variable. Net interest margins are near the global average, while the amount of non-performing loans is low, ranking the country 26th on this variable and suggesting that the banking sector is moderately competitive and efficient.

The United States offers the world’s most favourable environment for entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Nearly 680,000 businesses were started in 2007, which is the highest number in the world, encouraged by a low level of barriers to entry for new companies. The United States also receives the world’s highest levels of royalties from its intellectual property. Its technological infrastructure is excellent: the US is fifth for the number of personal computers per capita, it has the world’s highest average internet bandwidth levels and a large number of secure internet servers per person. It is 16th in the world for the amount of ICT goods it exports, and in the top ten for high-tech exports. Spending on R&D is high at 3.2% of GDP, suggesting very high commercialisation of innovation. The American service sector adds a value equivalent to 76% of GDP, the third highest rate in the world.

The United States has a long history of stable democratic institutions and strong political competition at all levels. Elections are well regulated, and political parties compete for power in both the legislative and executive branches. The system contains a number of checks and balances on arbitrary executive action, including a legal system which is highly independent from political interference. American citizens have almost unconstrained political freedoms and full civil rights, including freedom of speech and a high level of personal autonomy.

The United States’ ranking on education is hindered by relatively low levels of basic schooling. The primary school enrolment rate is just 92%, ranking the country below the global average. Although gross secondary school enrolment is slightly higher at 94%, American workers on average only have 5.2 years of secondary education, placing the country 54th on this variable. By contrast, tertiary enrolment stands at 82%, which is the 6th highest rate internationally, and workers have, on average, 4.9 years of tertiary education, the second highest rate in the world. Despite the lower enrolment rates in primary schools, students at this level have a favourable ratio of one teacher for every 14 pupils and girls participate fully in education, with equal numbers of girls and boys enrolled. Educational spending is around $13,500 per child, which is behind only a small group of European nations.

Americans’ health-adjusted life expectancy is 69 years, which is high by global standards, but the country ranks 23rd on this variable, behind a number of less wealthy nations. Basic health conditions are strong: infant mortality is low at seven deaths per 1000 births, only 3% of Americans are undernourished, there is near complete access to adequate sanitation, and 86% of people are satisfied with their water quality. However, the US ranks at 37th on this variable for the number of doctors and nurses per capita, and 43rd for the availability of hospital beds, which equals 32 per 10,000 people. Americans’ satisfaction with their own health is low given the strong health conditions: eight out of 10 Americans describe themselves as in good health, two-thirds feel well rested, and a quarter report to have experienced pain the previous day, ranking the US around 60th in the world in each of these variables.* Overall, 23% of the population report having health problems, which ranks the country 49th on this variable.*

The US experiences no problems related to human flight from dangerous or degrading conditions, and no casualties from civil war or internal strife. However, it ranks 39th for security concerns related to refugees and internally displaced people, and also faces some challenges from social groups with grievances or histories of discrimination. In measures of state violence or repression against its own citizens, the US ranks 45th and national homicide rates are high by global standards. In terms of theft, 14% of Americans report having had property stolen in 2008.* However, only 1% of people report having been assaulted, the fourth lowest rate, and 77% feel safe walking the streets at night.*

The US ranks 15th for its success in enforcing the rule of law, 16th for the efficiency of its government bureaucracy, and 17th for its quality of regulation. Although Americans have the freedom to elect their officials and take part in politics, their confidence in these institutions is limited. Two-thirds think that the government is corrupt and only 58% have faith in their judicial system, ranking the US in the top third on both variables.* Three-fifths of Americans also think that local businesses are corrupt, ranking the country in the top 20 worldwide.* In addition, 88% have confidence in the military, one of the highest rates among Western nations, and 14th overall.*

Americans have high levels of personal freedom and autonomy. Nine out of 10 Americans are satisfied with the freedom of choice in their daily lives, the country ranks 18th on this variable behind a number of others with similar levels of personal freedom and income.* In measures of tolerance, Americans score highly, although just outside the top 10 nations. A high 85% of the population think that their local area is a good place for ethnic and racial minorities, and 84% believe that immigrants are welcome.*

The US scores extremely well in most measures of social capital. Americans are the sixth most likely in the world to believe that friends are important, and a very high 96% have someone to rely on in times of need.* Americans draw on social networks created by membership in voluntary organisations as 28% of people take part in sports clubs, 27% in art clubs, and 17% in environmental clubs, representing levels of participation which are well within the top 25.* Two-thirds of Americans attend a religious organisation regularly, the 12th highest rate in the world.* Levels of social trust are high by international standards, with four in 10 Americans believing that other people can be trusted, 42% of Americans having volunteered for an organisation in the last month, and 67% having helped a stranger.* Additionally, nearly two-thirds had donated money to charity, ranking the country 11th on this variable.*

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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