In a major annual economic survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the United Kingdom has managed to move itself up in the rankings from last year, whilst Switzerland maintains its number one position.
The Global Competitiveness Report looks at 12 factors within a country’s economy and then scores that data, benchmarking countries against such factors, including infrastructure, education and training, labour market efficiency, technological readiness and innovation, before ranking each nation so that a clearer picture can be gained of the prosperity, competitiveness and productivity of the 144 countries involved.
Bounding up the rankings to 9th position overall, Britain has made gains since last year because of its progressive approach to adopting technology to enhance productivity, and for its general business environment.
Europe, as a whole, posted very strong results with six of the top ten being from the continent, with three from Asia sneaking in and the United States jumping up two places from 5th to 3rd. The top ten are as follows:
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- United States of America
- Finland
- Germany
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
The report sees many common factors between the top ranked countries on the list.
“The leading economies in the index all possess a track record in developing, accessing and utilising available talent, as well as in making investments that boost innovation.
“These smart and targeted investments have been possible thanks to a co-ordinated approach based on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors,” the report said.
Of course, with Europe on the rise many emerging economies fell dramatically down the list which could see many investors turn their eyes towards Europe because of its potential for stronger, more sustained growth over other places.
The full report, including the complete list of country rankings and what these findings show can be found here.
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The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report highlights a positive shift for the United Kingdom, moving into the top 10 at 9th place thanks to advances in technology adoption, labour market efficiency, and a strong business environment. Switzerland retains its leading position, demonstrating consistent excellence in innovation, education, and infrastructure. With six of the top ten economies located in Europe, the continent continues to solidify its position as one of the most attractive regions for international investment and expansion.
For entrepreneurs and investors, this ranking is more than just numbers; it’s a signal of opportunity. Strong, competitive economies like the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands provide stable environments where businesses can thrive. Access to advanced infrastructure, skilled labour, and innovation-friendly ecosystems makes these countries ideal bases for companies seeking long-term growth.
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