Size doesn’t matter for Scottish economic success. But planning does

Strong institutions, the right mix of human and physical capital, and sound economic management are key

Scotland's population is similar to that of Norway and Denmark, both countries in the International Monetary Fund's list of the top 10 richest in the world. So when Nicola Sturgeon says there is no reason why an independent Scotland could not make it on its own after independence, she is absolutely right.

All the evidence suggests size really doesn't matter when it comes to economic success. What does matter is having strong institutions, the right mix of human and physical capital, and sound management of the economy. In their different ways, Singapore, Switzerland and Sweden all have these, which is why they score highly on living standards, educational attainment and longevity.

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