Denmark and Sweden are better than the United States in its ability to exploit information technology and communications

GENEVA (AP) - Denmark and Sweden are better than the United States in its ability to exploit information technology and communications, according to a poll released Thursday. The United States, which topped the World Economic Forum in the "Networked Readiness Index" in 2006 before slipping down the standings, climbed to third place in the latest edition of the survey. The study was widely blamed for poor policy and regulatory environments of the United States to offset some of the benefits of the world's most competitive economy. The index, which measures the number of factors that affect the country's ability to harness information technologies for economic competitiveness and development, also cited America's low use of mobile phones, a lack of government leadership in information technology and low quality of math and science education. Yet, even amid an economic crisis, the report indicates the U.S. is well positioned for a technology-based recovery because it has the top research institutes in the world and better collaboration between universities and industries. Singapore, the first country in Asia, and Switzerland rounded out the top 5. Nordic countries Finland, Iceland and Norway followed, with the Netherlands and Canada complete the top 10. China has jumped 11 points No. 46, leading the group of large emerging economies. India is 54th, five places ahead of Brazil, while Russia was down at No. 74. The report covers 134 countries, with Chad, East Timor, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Bangladesh at the bottom. (Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material May not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)