Economy
The World's Leading Creative Class Countries
The U.S. has fallen far behind in this key measure of human capital
Yesterday, I looked at how the nations of the world stack up on technology and innovation. Despite predictions of U.S. technological decline and the rapid rise of the BRIC countries, America and other advanced nations continue to hold an overwhelming lead in technology and innovation. Today I turn to another key dimension of economic progress: human capital.
Economists have long regarded human capital—basically the level of skill and education across a population—as a key factor, if not the key factor, driving economic prosperity and rising living standards. Many have noted that America’s declining educational performance and dependence on foreign talent pose substantial threats to its long run of economic competitiveness.