The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has released the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR), or global competitiveness index.
This year, Switzerland took first place with a perfect score of 100 out of 100, surpassing Singapore, which previously held the top spot.
"Switzerland continues to demonstrate strong performance, a result of its robust and stable economic and social structures," stated the IMD in its report.
The IMD compiled this index based on 262 assessment indicators. 170 indicators are data from various national and international statistical sources, while 92 indicators are the results of perception surveys of approximately 6,000 international executives.
All these indicators are grouped into four main assessment dimensions: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. The assessment covers 69 countries.
In the four main assessment dimensions, Switzerland achieved 63.9 points for economic performance; 94.8 points for government efficiency; 90.6 points for business efficiency; and 94.8 points for infrastructure.
Singapore ranked second with a total score of 99.44 points.
"Regarding government efficiency, Singapore dropped one rank to third place. In business efficiency, the country experienced the largest decline, falling from second to eighth place," said the IMD in its report.
The following is a list of the top 10 countries with the highest global competitiveness index scores in 2025 according to the IMD:
1. Switzerland: 100 points
2. Singapore: 99.44 points
3. Hong Kong: 99.22 points
4. Denmark: 97.51 points
5. United Arab Emirates: 96.09 points
6. Taiwan: 93.71 points
7. Ireland: 91.31 points
8. Sweden: 90.2 points
9. Qatar: 89.93 points
10. Netherlands: 89.75 points