Nations with thriving small businesses could save middle class

In many ways, the great economic tragedy of today is the erosion of the middle class, the slow, burning segregation of society into rich or poor or nothing at all. And it is small business owners who have made up that very middle-class for centuries.

How can the middle class prosper again? Well, these countries are doing their best to nurture entrepreneurs. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, these are the nations that best foster an environment for entrepreneurs to start and grow their new businesses.

* Countries ranked by a "barrier to entrepreneurship index" score; the lower the score, the fewer barriers to entry for a start-up company in that country.

* Bing: How to start your own business