© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Top 10 most competitive global economies in 2025 list: The global economy is in a state of flux and is being reshaped by geopolitical tensions and financial volatility, redefining how nations compete on growth, stability, and adaptability.
According to the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR), developed economies are grappling with mounting challenges, while several emerging markets have managed to climb the ladder by adopting strategic reforms.
Eastern Asia and Western Europe dominate the top tier, accounting for 70 per cent of the world’s 10 most competitive economies this year.
Switzerland retains its position as the most competitive economy globally, maintaining an all-round edge across economic, business, and governance factors.
Singapore, which topped the list in 2024, follows closely in second place, while Hong Kong SAR surged two spots to third, buoyed by gains across all four competitiveness factors.
Other high-ranking economies display resilience through strong governance, adaptability to digital and environmental shifts, and efforts to maintain social cohesion.
Among the climbers, Canada made the biggest leap within the top 20, advancing eight places to rank 11th.
Namibia, Kenya, and Oman entered the competitiveness index for the first time in its 37-year history.
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Switzerland | 100 |
| 2 | Singapore | 99.44 |
| 3 | Hong Kong SAR | 99.22 |
| 4 | Denmark | 97.51 |
| 5 | UAE | 96.09 |
| 6 | Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) | 93.71 |
| 7 | Ireland | 91.31 |
| 8 | Sweden | 90.2 |
| 9 | Qatar | 89.93 |
| 10 | Netherlands | 89.75 |
Source: IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025
India slipped to 41st place in 2025, down from 39th in 2024 and from its recent peak of 37th in 2022.
While the country continues to score strongly on economic performance and business efficiency, persistent weaknesses in infrastructure and government effectiveness weigh on its overall position.
| Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | Change |
| Overall Global Ranking | 41st | 39th | ↓ 2 |
| Economic Performance | 27th | 20th | ↓ 7 |
| Government Efficiency | 45th | 45th | — |
| Business Efficiency | 25th | 25th | — |
| Infrastructure | 51st | 53rd | ↑ 2 |
Source: IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025
