UK Competitiveness Indicators: Second Edition

DTI's UK Competitiveness Indicators: Second Edition, published in February 2001, is an international benchmarking study of the UK economy. Its purpose is to:

• monitor the progress of the UK as a knowledge driven economy;
• assess our competitiveness against other G7 countries, and
• help design policies to narrow the gap in productivity and living standards with our main competitors.

The Indicators are designed to assist:

• Government - by providing a guide to policies and priorities; and
• UK business - by highlighting ways of improving performance in key areas.

This second assessment shows that in many respects the UK is well placed to meet the challenges of the global economy. Many aspects of the business environment have improved in recent years, providing UK firms with a supportive framework in which to operate. However, the UK is less prepared in other areas, especially in basic and vocational skills and in creating a business culture that encourages risk-taking. This contributes to a productivity performance which lags significantly behind the US, France and Germany.

The full text of the UK Competitiveness Indicators: Second Edition is available from the links below as pdf files.

The pdf file of the complete text allows users to download chart data as Excel files by clicking the data icon alongside the chart.

UK Competitiveness Indicators: Second Edition The complete text (1MB)

Contents, Foreword and Executive Summary (128K)
Chapter 1  Introduction (83K)
Chapter 2  Business Environment (272K)
Chapter 3  Resources (335K)
Chapter 4  Innovation Process (276K)
Chapter 5  Results (210K)
Chapter 6  Conclusions and Annex (126K)

The Executive Summary and List of Indicators are also available.

Since publishing the second edition, new data for a number of indicators has become available.  This new data is available from the link below:

UK Competitiveness Indicators - latest data

We welcome comments on UK Competitiveness Indicators.  These should be sent by e-mail to indicators@dti.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting:

Economics and Statistics Directorate
Room 540
DTI
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

Tel: 020 7215 6276
Fax: 020 7215 6691

Printed copies of UK Competitiveness Indicators can be obtained from DTI Publications Orderline, quoting URN 01/539, the title, quantity required and the delivery name and address.