Richard Florida ranks countries based on the proportion of workers in the 'creative class.' He ranks the U.S. 27th in the world, trailing a top ten including Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany and Switzerland.
Florida points out that a dramatic regional variance exists within the United States, noting that areas such as Silicon Valley and the D.C. metro area would rank among the top ten if counted alone. As part of the U.S.A., they serve only to highlight an enduring inequality.
"While I am not as pessimistic as the declinists-there is still time for the nation to reverse course-many of "the rest" have clearly caught up and jumped ahead on this score. Given the deep divides that vex this country, it may be an issue that is particularly difficult to address."
Read the full story: The World's Leading Creative Class Countries
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority