the beginners boost help your financial situation and that has a lot to do with personal score. most countries that ignore the fact that the boost to help you catch up can be a dangerous outcome in the future. bring a balance to your country and get in the positive before that runs out. Kinda why your seeing the rank your seeing. Many make that grave mistake and stop playing after getting in to a rut.
I think the goal is get in the top 10. I've seen 14 or 16 as my highest rank and took over another country, lowered me as low as 265. I think the Spark we need is to find a way to increase the economic presence individually and with each other to make WG better.