Government of Nova Scotia
Economic Development
Business Climate Index


Development Capacity

Nova Scotia falls to 5th place in Canada and continues its 1st place ranking in Atlantic Canada in Development Capacity. Development capacity refers to the quality of the social and physical infrastructure supporting economic performance. Nova Scotia's rankings slipped in business loans by chartered banks, and major crimes. Challenges continue in the level of financial resources available to business and the attraction of immigrants.

INDICATORS 2001r 2002 2003
Human Resources Post-secondary Education Attainment 1 3 2
High School Attainment 4 5 4
Low Education Attainment 6 6 6
Skilled Immigrants 6 6 6
Technology Resources Graduates with Advanced Degrees (replacing Doctorate Graduates) 3 3 3
Science/Engineering Graduates 1 1 1
Patents Granted 7 7 8
Financial Resources Venture Capital Investments 6 8 7
Business Loans Per Employee 6 6 7
Infrastructure and Amenities Health Professionals Per Capita 3 3 2
Highway Quality 2 2 1
Internet Use 5 5 5
Land Cost 4* 4* 4*
Major Crimes 4 5 6
Sewage Treatment 9* 9 9*
Overall Ranking Development Capacity 4 4 5

r = ranking has been revised to include new indicators and revisions by Statistics Canada
* not included in calculating the overall ranking; comparable data not available

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