The LatAm countries with the most competitive infrastructure

Chile is the country from the Latin American and the Caribbean region with the most competitive infrastructure, according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2018, which was released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday.

The South American country reached place 41 on a list of 140 economies. Although Chile retained its spot from last year, its overall score improved from 74.8 to 75.2 points.

Mexico, Uruguay, Ecuador and Panama were the other four highest-ranked countries from the region, reaching places 49, 59, 62, and 66, respectively.

Singapore scored the top spot for infrastructure competitiveness, while Haiti landed at the bottom of the list.

Of the highest-ranked Latin American countries, Mexico moved up 13 spots from last year, while Panama fell 29. Uruguay lost 17 spots, while Ecuador scored 13 spots higher.

In the quality of overall infrastructure – encompassing transport, communications and energy infrastructure – Chile is leading the pack (No.35), ahead of Panama (38), Ecuador (49), Trinidad and Tobago (55) and Jamaica (66).

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

With a 58.7/100 score, Mexico's transport infrastructure reached position 40, ahead of the Dominican Republic (49), Chile (50), Panama (57) and Ecuador (63), the other four-highest ranked regional economies.

This indicator is calculated by aggregating eight indicators that measure roads, railroads, air transport and water transport infrastructure.

ROADS

Regarding road infrastructure, i.e., connectivity and quality, Chile also scored the highest compared to other countries from the region, landing at the 16th spot, with Mexico (24), Argentina (44), Dominican Republic (58) and Ecuador (66) following.

If connectivity and quality are assessed separately, Mexico (7) has the highest road connectivity index value. This index refers to the average speed and straightness of a driving itinerary connecting at least 10 of the largest cities that together account for 15% or more of the country's total population.

Chile's roads have the best quality, ranking No. 24.

RAILWAYS

Mexico ranked the highest for railroads, securing the 54th spot, while Panama landed at the 60th. Other high-ranking countries from the region were Chile (67), Argentina (68) and Uruguay (70).

Uruguay ranked 44 for railroad density, which measures kilometers of railroad per 100km2 of land, while Panama's train services scored 4.4/7 for efficiency, ranking 31.

AIR TRANSPORT

Mexico reached spot No. 25 for air transport infrastructure, leading Brazil (27), Panama (44), Colombia (48) and Chile (51).

Mexico also reaches the highest score compared to other countries in the region for airport connectivity, while Panama ranks 13 globally for the efficiency of air transport.

WATER TRANSPORT

Securing the 20th spot worldwide, Panama has the most competitive water transport infrastructure in the region. Chile (35), Mexico (40), Uruguay (42) and Colombia (44) are the region's other four highest ranked countries.

Panama ranks No. 7 worldwide for efficiency of seaport services, while Chile, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica reached the 32nd, 33rd, 43rd, and 52nd spot, respectively.

This index component measures the efficiency of ferries and boats services, extensiveness and conditions of seaports. For landlocked countries, the report assesses access to seaports services.

UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE

In this respect, Chile is the 27th most competitive country in the world. Uruguay (37), Costa Rica (44), Ecuador (54) and Argentina (60) follow.

Chile obtained a score of 91.2/100 for water infrastructure – No.28 worldwide.

Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Argentina were the other four highest-ranked countries from the region, at spots 29, 40, 50 and 56, respectively.

The WEF's new Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 assesses the competitiveness landscape of 140 economies, which is defined as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the productivity of a country.

The US tops the overall competitive ranking, while Chad is the lowest ranked.

To access the Global Competitiveness Report 2018 in English, click here.