World Bank Competitiveness Rankings Weren’t Manipulated, Audit Shows

Review clears bank of concerns raised by its former chief economist, but says changes to methodology should be curbed

World Bank rankings assessing countries’ competitiveness weren’t manipulated for political purposes, an external audit found, though it faulted the organization for changing its methodology so frequently the rankings became confusing.

The audit, released Wednesday, came after Paul Romer, then the World Bank’s chief economist, raised concerns about the rankings earlier this year.

The...