Regulation: Overall ease of doing business

The overall ease of starting and running a business factors into a country's competitiveness as an offshore outsourcing location. The World Bank Doing Business survey is the most comprehensive comparative survey on the topic.  The overall Ease of Doing Business index ranks 181 countries from 1 to 181, with 1 being the most conducive environment. The survey covers 10 dimensions which include starting a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business.

The United States is at the top with the easiest business environment. Many of the large outsourcing locations have a significantly more difficult environments for small and medium sized firms. China is below average and India and the Philippines are at the bottom of the list.