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IMD World Talent Ranking 2025: Switzerland has retained the top spot in talent competitiveness for the tenth consecutive year, as per the IMD World Talent Rankings 2025, with European countries dominating and occupying seven out of the top ten rankings this year.
Luxembourg has claimed the No.2 rank from Singapore, which has now slipped to No. 7 after a massive jump last year, and Iceland has risen from No.6 to No.3 in 2025.
The World Talent Ranking (WTR) by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) evaluates the status of competencies required for long-term value creation in the economy, using indicators to measure the growth, retention, and attraction of a national and international highly-skilled workforce.
Hong Kong SAR has risen five places on the list to now rank No.4—the country’s highest rank and best performance this year, given that it is in the top 10 for the third time over the last decade.
Notably, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has debuted in the top 10 for the first time in 2025 at No.9, following a steady rise since 2020 driven by rapid improvements in talent-related policies, infrastructure, and international attractiveness.
The world of work is constantly changing, with talent competitiveness emerging as a crucial factor in long-term economic performance, resulting in global economies evolving to attract and retain top talent during these uncertain times.
The 2025 IMD World Talent Ranking highlights that financial security and tangible benefits remain the primary reasons for international relocation, contrary to the pre-COVID-19 era when quality of life, cultural compatibility, and language skills were more significant.
| Rank 2025 | Country | Overall Score 2025 |
| 1 | Switzerland | 100 |
| 2 | Luxembourg | 83.08 |
| 3 | Iceland | 82.19 |
| 4 | Hong Kong SAR | 80.1 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 80.09 |
| 6 | Sweden | 79.46 |
| 7 | Singapore | 78 |
| 8 | Denmark | 77.94 |
| 9 | UAE | 77.86 |
| 10 | Austria | 77.82 |
Source: IMD World Talent Rankings 2025
India has slipped to 63rd place with an overall score of 36.06, continuing its downward trend compared to previous years.
Meanwhile, the United States ranked 22nd, showing slight improvement, and China remained stagnant in 38th place.
