Panamanian efficiency

Although it dropped eight places since last year, Panama continues to be the most efficient economy of the isthmus, according to the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum.

Decreased willingness to fight public-sector corruption left Panama at 48 in the ranking.

Costa Rica, in second place regionally, rose three positions to 51, followed by Guatemala at 78.

Honduras at 100 finished last in Central America.

Switzerland is first overall among 144 countries, as it was last year.

Guinea is the least efficient, according to a ranking which measures innovation, state efficiency, infrastructure and macroeconomic climate (numbers in parentheses indicate the global position of each Central American country).

1. Panama (48)
2. Costa Rica (51)
3. Guatemala (78)
4. Salvador (84)
5. Nicaragua (99)
6. Honduras (100)