The Best Countries For Business, 2009

Denmark

Overall rank: 1

GDP per capita: $38,900

GDP, real growth rate: 0.3%

Population (millions): 5.5

Trade balance as % of GDP: -0.6%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 6.7%

After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. Along with the U.K., one of the notable holdouts from the group of 15 European countries using the euro currency.

U.S.

Overall rank: 2

GDP per capita: $48,000

GDP, real growth rate: 1.4%

Population (millions): 303.8

Trade balance as % of GDP: -5.6%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: -3.1%

The biggest economy in the world and third-largest population, the U.S. continues to support business-friendly economic policies, despite a recent move in the balance of power from Wall Street to Washington. Broad policy shifts such as Cap and Trade, though, threaten to damage its economic competitiveness, particularly in industrial sectors.

Canada

Overall rank: 3

GDP per capita: $40,200

GDP, real growth rate: 0.7%

Population (millions): 33.2

Trade balance as % of GDP: 1.9%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 0.2%

Trade and budget surpluses, tax relief from the current administration and conservative lending practices of its banks have left the U.S.' northern neighbor in an enviable position amid global tumult. Reignited demand for commodities in the face of U.S. inflation could help reverse export declines in this gold- and oil-sands-rich nation.

Singapore

Overall rank: 4

GDP per capita: $52,900

GDP, real growth rate: 3.0%

Population (millions): 4.6

Trade balance as % of GDP: 17.2%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 0.6%

The city-state's tax and regulatory environment have made it a competitor to Hong Kong as an Asian center for finance. Advantageous trade routes, balanced budgets and high levels of individual wealth have insulated the nation from major disturbance due to volatility in the financial markets.

New Zealand

Overall rank: 5

GDP per capita: $28,500

GDP, real growth rate: 0.6%

Population (millions): 4.2

Trade balance as % of GDP: -1.3%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 0.4%

Tiny island nation has embraced free trade policies, recently becoming the first developed nation to sign a free trade agreement with China.

U.K.

Overall rank: 6

GDP per capita: $37,400

GDP, real growth rate: 1.1%

Population (millions): 60.9

Trade balance as % of GDP: -7.8%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: -5.9%

With financial services accounting for 21% of private-sector employment pre-crisis, rising unemployment will be difficult to reverse. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has made raising more money for the developing world via the International Monetary Fund a priority amid a deepening recession.

Sweden

Overall rank: 7

GDP per capita: $39,600

GDP, real growth rate: 0.9%

Population (millions): 9.0

Trade balance as % of GDP: 5.2%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 3.3%

The least corruption of any nation, high personal freedom and a advanced technological infrastructure have allowed for strong foreign investment, despite somewhat lax investor protection laws.

Australia

Overall rank: 8

GDP per capita: $39,300

GDP, real growth rate: 2.5%

Population (millions): 21.0

Trade balance as % of GDP: -1.0%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 0.4%

A collapsing housing and real estate market has made the island nation's recovery from recession difficult, as has falling demand for commodities from China. Larger trade deficits are likely as government expands social spending in effort to stimulate sagging economic growth.

Hong Kong

Overall rank: 9

GDP per capita: $45,300

GDP, real growth rate: 2.8%

Population (millions): 7.0

Trade balance as % of GDP: -8.5%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: -0.7%

Dependent on the services industry for 92% of its output, the Chinese financial center has gone to great lengths to expand corporate transparency and stock market regulation in an effort to attract more pan-Asian listing.

Norway

Overall rank: 10

GDP per capita: $57,500

GDP, real growth rate: 2.8%

Population (millions): 4.6

Trade balance as % of GDP: 31.6%

Federal budget balance as % of GDP: 32.5%

A strange brew of social welfare and market-based capitalism, this tiny nation has proliferated, thanks in part to its low tax burdens and open trade rules.