Big leaps for Asia in world competitiveness ranking

Smaller economies dominate the top 10 spots, but Asia as a whole makes the biggest strides.

Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been ranked among the world’s 10 most competitive economies.
Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been ranked among the world’s 10 most competitive economies. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/knowhowfootage

The results for this year’s World Competitiveness Ranking are out, with smaller economies dominating the top 10 spots, according to Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development (IMD), comparing 67 economies based on over 250 indicators across four broad categories of economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and iInfrastructure.

Singapore leads the pack, rising three spots from last year due to its robust performance in government and business efficiency. Other notable Asian economies in the top 10 include Hong Kong at 5th place and Taiwan.

Big Asian economies such as India, Japan, and South Korea are notably absent from the top 10, although China made a significant leap, rising from 21st to 14th position, thanks to a strong economic recovery post-pandemic.

Europe continues to dominate the competitiveness ranking with six economies in the top 10, including three in the top 5: Switzerland (2nd), Denmark (3rd), and Ireland (4th). However, Europe's economic powerhouses—Germany, France, and the UK—are notably absent from the top 20.

Meanwhile, the US also slipped out of this year’s top 10 to land in the 12th spot.

Here’s the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking:

  1. Singapore
  2. Switzerland
  3. Denmark
  4. Ireland
  5. Hong Kong
  6. Sweden
  7. UAE
  8. Taiwan
  9. Netherlands
  10. Norway
  11. Qatar
  12. US
  13. Australia
  14. China
  15. Finland
  16. Saudi Arabia
  17. Iceland
  18. Belgium
  19. Canada
  20. South Korea