Top 10 countries as startup hubs in 2025: Here is where India stands

While the US continues to lead the global startup ecosystem, it is maintaining its position with 221 cities ranked among the top 1,000 worldwide on the 2025 index.

Despite this, it is exhibiting signs of a slowdown, recording the lowest growth rate among the top 50 ecosystems at merely 18.2%.

The UK’s startup ecosystem, contrarily, ranking 2nd, has shown a growth rate of 26.34%, one of the highest among the top 20.

It has successfully reversed the trend of declining score gaps with Israel, increasing its lead from 8.6% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025.

Israel, meanwhile, in third place, remains stable globally with a growth rate of 20.58%, which is relatively low compared to the other top ten countries.

Notably, Singapore, at the fourth position, is rapidly approaching the elite group of the top 3, as it has achieved a remarkable 44.91% growth rate in 2025.

It has replaced Canada’s long-standing presence in the global top 4 since the introduction of this index, pushing it to 5th place.

While no country in Europe has managed to push into the global top 5, Sweden, ranking 6th with over 30% of the growth rate, is edging closer to Canada.

Rounding up the top 10, Switzerland, which previously was at the 10th position, overtook the Netherlands to claim the 9th rank in 2025.

Global Startup Ecosystem Index: The world’s top 10 countries for startups in 2025

Rank 2025	Country	Rank Change	Annual Ecosystem Growth	Total Score
1	United States	—	+18.2%	254.05
2	United Kingdom	—	+26.3%	70.743
3	Israel	—	+20.6%	62.167
4	Singapore	+1	+44.9%	54.682
5	Canada	-1	+18.8%	45.438
6	Sweden	—	+30.7%	35.311
7	Germany	—	+28.4%	33.159
8	France	—	+30.2%	32.417
9	Switzerland	+1	+31.8%	31.747
10	The Netherlands	-1	+26.2%	30.872

Source: StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025

Top 10 countries for startups worldwide over the years. (Source: StartupBlink)

Where does India rank globally?

India has reversed the positive momentum it experienced last year, falling from 19th to 22nd place worldwide in 2025. This marks one of the steepest declines among the global top 25.

ALSO READ | Top 10 largest Indian companies in 2025: Reliance Industries leads, globally ranks #45

Despite this, the country has six cities ranked in the global top 100 and stands out as one of only three countries, along with the United States and China, having three cities in the top 20.

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