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The least competitive countries in the world were announced by the World Economic Forum this week in its Global Competitiveness report.
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The ranking assesses 137 countries according to 12 categories, from Infrastructure to Labour market efficiency.
These categories are subdivided further into factors ranging from organised crime to life expectancy to the reliability of banks.
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Among the report's findings are that economic growth "needs to focus on human well-being." Although growth does not guarantee human development, it says, "there are no examples of countries improving the welfare of their populations without growth."
Below are the 12 countries at the bottom of the ranking for most competitive countries in the world:
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12. Democratic Republic of the Congo — 5 million people died in DRC during a brutal civil war between 1996 and 2003. Violence has recently begun to flare up again. It's no surprise then that the country ranks poorly in many categories. It comes 136th out of 137 for quality of roads, inflation, and fixed broadband internet subscriptions.
GDP per capita: $495.
Most problematic factor for doing business: Access to financing.
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11. Venezuela — Falling oil prices and the death of former leader Hugo Chavez have plunged Venezuela into crisis over the last few years. The country suffers from food shortages and much of the population are currently protesting the government. Bitter clashes with police are common. Venezuela ranks worst of all 137 countries in a litany of factors, including reliability of police services, inflation, and the ethical behaviour of firms.
GDP per capita:$9,258
Most problematic factor for doing business: Inflation
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10. Haiti — Long a poor country, the Carribean island was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2010 that affected roughly 3 million people. Recent hurricanes have also touched the island. Haiti ranks worst of all 137 countries for effectiveness of anti-monopoly policy, as well as in the overall Business sophistication and Innovation categories.
GDP per capita:$761.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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9. Burundi — One of the world's poorest countries, Burundi lives in the shadow of a 12 year ethnic civil war that ended in 2005. Troubles flared up again around the 2015 general election, with protestors claiming the outcome was unconstitutional. Burundi ranks last globally for exports as a percentage of GDP, and 136th for gross national savings, the number of internet users, and whether firms are using up to date technology.
GDP per capita:$325.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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8. Sierra Leone — Another country overshadowed by a recent civil war, conflict in Sierra Leone ended in 2002 but its effects are still felt. The illegal 'blood diamond' trade also contributes to a large black market economy, with associated crime and violence. The country ranks 136th for life expectancy and 135th for redundancy costs and internet bandwidth.
GDP per capita:$618.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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7. Lesotho — The Kingdom of Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa. The largely rural country ranks worst of all 137 countries for a range of factors, including quality of maths and science education, life expectancy, and soundness of banks. It is worst in the overall health and primary education category.
GDP per capita:$1,170.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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6. Malawi — Another largely rural country, Malawi has been devastated by an HIV epidemic that has orphaned over a million children in recent decades. Malawi ranks last globally for the overall Infrastructure category, as well as 135th for a range of other measurements, including gross national savings and inflation.
GDP per capita:$295.
Most problematic factor for doing business: Corruption.
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5. Mauritania — A mostly desert country, many of Mauritania's people are nomads. The North African country scores worst for a range of things, including pay and productivity, quality of roads, and protection of minority shareholders' interests. It also comes last for the overall higher education and training category.
GDP per capita:$1,243.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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4. Liberia — A brutal civil war ended in 2005 but has left the country lacking much of the basic infrastructure to support society. The country scores 136th for strength of investor protection, as well as 135th for primary education enrolment rate, internet users, and the overall Market size category.
GDP per capita:$480.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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3. Chad — Despite oil and resource riches, corruption is rife in Chad and the country comes last for irregular payments and bribes, infant mortality, and overall technological readiness.
GDP per capita:$852.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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2. Mozambique — More than half of Mozambique's population live in poverty and the country ranks worst in the overall macroeconomic environment category, as well as worst for the quality of primary education.
GDP per capita:$392.
Most problematic factor for doing business:Access to financing.
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1. Yemen — The Middle Eastern country is currently experiencing a civil war and devastating famine. It ranks worst for factors including the business costs of terrorism, quality of electricity supply, legal rights index and the prevalence of foreign ownership.
GDP per capita:$938.
Most problematic factor for doing business: government instability/coups.
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