The best way I know of to compare countries is via the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report.

FORBES: It's Not That the Euro Will Fail, It's That It Should Fail

So it is no surprise that the public sector is Brazil's weakest point in the World Economic Forum's latest Global Competitiveness Report, released on September 7th.

ECONOMIST: Brazil��s business environment

According to a report on national competitiveness by the World Economic Forum, the French rank and file has a much stronger work ethic than American, British or Dutch employees.

ECONOMIST: Schumpeter

According to a World Economic Forum report in December, Italy now falls below all other European Union members save Poland in competitiveness.

ECONOMIST: The budget passes, but more troubles loom ahead