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One of the most interesting aspects of our recent Global Dynamism Index (GDI) was the strong performance of mature economies. It was a result Ed Nusbaum described as counterintuitive in that the word dynamism tends to be attributed to faster growing emerging markets such as the BRIC economies.

The global economy is going through a very difficult phase. Growth in key emerging markets such as China, Brazil and India is slowing. In the United States, the economy seems to be treading water as everyone waits for the presidential elections in November, despite the looming ‘fiscal cliff’.

Germany is the fourth largest economy in the world and the largest in Europe. The economy has not proved immune from the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone but it remains the third largest exporter in the world –in 2014 Germany recorded the largest trade surplus globally. Here's some guidance about expansion into Germany and how it fared in the Global Dynamism Index 2015.

As the fourth largest oil exporter in the world, Canada avoided recession during the financial crisis, but the dramatic and sustained fall in the global oil price leaves all sectors of the economy vulnerable. It's still coming in as the eleventh largest economy in the world in the 2015 Global Dynamism Index and it's home to 35 million people. Below you'll find tools to inform your international expansion.

China is the second largest economy in the world (although the largest on a purchasing power parity basis) and is home over 1.3 billion people. Growth has slowed over recent years as the government rebalances the economy away from investment towards consumption but remains well above 6% per annum. Here is some guidance about doing business in China and how it faired in the Global Dynamism Index 2015.

The Global Dynamism Index 2015 ranked the UK as the fifth largest economy in the world. It's home to more than 64 million people. Following a deep, prolonged recession, growth rates have been much greater than those achieved by its European neighbours over recent years. Concerns remain around the UK's place in the European Union, possible Scottish independence and the economic dominance of London. Here you'll find more about doing business in the UK.

According to the Global Dynamism Index 2015, Russia is home to over 143 million people and the tenth largest economy in the world. The drop in the global oil price (which, together with gas, accounts for more than 70% of exports) and economic sanctions following the Ukraine crisis have dampened short-term economic growth prospects. Further economic diversification and investment in infrastructure will be vital to restoring competitiveness. Here's some guidance about expanding into Russia.

Brazil is the seventh largest economy in the world and largest in Latin America. It has grown rapidly over the past decade due to an abundance of natural resources and a strong agricultural sector, swelling the middle classes, although investment in transport and power infrastructure are fundamental to ensure its continued economic development. Here is some guidance about doing business in Brazil and how it faired in the Global Dynamism Index 2015.

France has a population of over 66 million people and is the sixth largest economy in the world, the second largest in the Eurozone. The sovereign debt crisis has weighed heavily on growth although there are encouraging signs that the reform agenda is starting to gather momentum. Read about its ranking in the Global Dynamism Index 2015 and explore doing business in the country.