The eastern European country dropped to the 55th place in the 2013 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, from 53rd a year earlier.
Romania is slightly less competitive than financially troubled Greece, which climbed three places from 58th in 2012, but a touch more performing than Jordan and Bulgaria. The latter fell three places to 57th this year.
Consolidating economic stability and preserving the level of investment attractiveness are among Romania’s main challenges in 2013, the Switzerland-based business school said in its report.
Additionally, the authorities in Bucharest should step up absorption of EU funds and further restructure the healthcare and education systems, the report noted.
The 2013 World Competitiveness Yearbook is headed by the US economy, which regained its top position after coming second last year. Switzerland ranks second, followed by Hong Kong, Sweden, Singapore, Norway and Canada.
Argentina and Venezuela are the world’s two least competitive economies in 2013, the survey showed.
The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranks countries on their ability to create and sustain enterprise competitiveness. The survey of 4200 international executives is based on 329 ranking criteria grouped into four competitiveness factors of economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.