According to the Uruguayan newspaper, El Pais, the World Economic Forum (WEF) developed a Human Capital Ranking in 124 countries. There were 46 variables analysed among five age groups, which included people younger than 15 years old and up to 64 years old. The levels of education, qualification and employment of these persons were evaluated. One of the goals of the study was to analyse the results of human capital investments and the talent base each country has for the future.

According to the study, Uruguay is number 47 in the ranking, with a score of 71.2%, which sets the country just two positions below Chile (45), the regional leader with a score of 71.8%.

Fairly close are Argentina (48) and Mexico (58), while Brazil is placed quite behind (78). Venezuela is among the countries with the lowest score in the region (91), a position it shares with Nicaragua (90) and Honduras (96).

In Uruguay, the age group with the lowest score involves people younger than 15 years old (number 70, with a score of 81.1%) and primary schools are the item with the poorest score (38.6%).

Meanwhile, the age group of 15 to 24 years old has the best score (74.2%) as is place number 33 in the ranking. According to El Pais, the items in which Uruguay has the best scores at are “literacy rate, long term unemployment, complete primary school and diversity of skills”. However, the item educational system’s quality, has a very poor score (31.7%) and is placed number 103.

The global results show Finland at the top of the ranking, with a score of 86%, followed by Norway, Switzerland, Canada and Japan. Only 14 countries in the world have a score over 80%.

To read the article in El Pais, click here.