The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.

As could be expected, the Czech Republic straddles the divide between Western Europe and former Soviet satellites. In 10 of 18 categories, the country is at a competitive disadvantage with the EU average. In four categories, it is competitive neutral, and in four it has a competitive advantage over the average EU country. The country‘s areas of strength indicate it has the potential for substantial competitive advances.

The country score indexed against the average of the seven countries in the comparative group.

The Czech Republic receives high marks for the quality of its legislation. In bankruptcy and commercial registration- both recently reformed with intensive involvement of private sector experts- the country has a distinct competitive advantage. In seven chapters of legal reform, the country performs at the comparative group average. Only labor law is a competitive disadvantage.

The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.

In 3 out of the 7 cost indicators, Czech public administration costs less than its EU peers. Both effective personal tax rates and interest costs as a percentage of total government revenue are significantly lower than the EU average. The total tax rate- both as a percentage of GDP and profit- in the Czech Republic are about average. In two areas, however, the country has dangerous disadvantages: social contributions and government deficits.

The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.

The country has a competitive advantage in 5 of the 15 indicators, a neutral score in 3, and a disadvantage in 7.

The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.

Twenty-one indicators were selected. The country has a competitive advantage in two, and a disadvantage in 12. It is doing reasonably well in traditional education, but is far behind in training and education after university. The labor force works long hours, but at a lower productive per hour worked. Not enough of that work force has a university education, and the number in high tech manufacturing is below ever other comparative country except Austria. The ability to convert education into commercial research success is poor; although test scores are high, the country is 90% below the EU average in patent applications.

The percent of EU average is the index of the country‘s score against the average score for all EU countries.

Whatever it is called, this area has been an area of competitive strength for the Czech Republic. In 3 of the 7 indicators, the country achieved a competitive advantage. In only one indicator did the country perform well below the EU average- interest rate spreads- and, given what we now know of the credit bubble, perhaps even this area might be considered a strength in retrospect.