In the recently released IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025, Switzerland has once again secured the number one position with a perfect score of 100. The report, which measures nations across economic strength, government operations, business agility, and infrastructure quality, emphasizes that while traditional competitiveness factors still matter, they are no longer adequate on their own.
Following Switzerland, Singapore claimed second place with 99.44 points, and Hong Kong came in third with a score of 99.22. Denmark, UAE, and Taiwan followed closely, rounding out the top six. The top ten also includes Ireland, Sweden, Qatar, and the Netherlands.
India has dropped two ranks from last year, now standing at 41st among 69 evaluated countries. In economic performance, India fell to 27th from last year’s 20th position. However, its rankings for government efficiency (45th) and business efficiency (25th) remained the same.
This year’s rankings saw the inclusion of three new countries—Kenya, Namibia, and Oman. The IMD report highlights that competitiveness now includes a broad mix of political, social, environmental, and cultural aspects, extending far beyond just GDP figures.
The 2025 edition also notes that the most effective global leaders today are incorporating digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and strategic resilience into national planning.
Each country’s ranking is based on a combination of statistical metrics and executive perception, with data collected through international sources and online surveys conducted between February and May 2025.