{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: The scientific standing of nations and its relationship with economic competitiveness. {Author}: Abramo G;D'Angelo CA; {Journal}: PLoS One {Volume}: 19 {Issue}: 6 {Year}: 2024 {Factor}: 3.752 {DOI}: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304299 {Abstract}: In the current knowledge-based economy, the abilities of the national research system are a key driver of the country's competitiveness and socio-economic development. This paper compares the scientific standing of the OECD countries and eight other relevant economies. We use a bibliometric indicator of research performance, applied first at the individual level. This approach avoids the distortions of the aggregate-level analyses extant in literature and practice, which overlook the different publication intensities across research fields. We find a strong correlation between research performance and the economic competitiveness of nations and a moderate but significant correlation between research performance and the propensity to spend on research.