[International] 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Taiwan Ranks 4th Globally, Best Performance in History
bellala 央廣3h agoEdited
The 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking was released today (18th) by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Singapore ranked first, followed by Hong Kong in second, Switzerland in third, and Taiwan in fourth globally. This marks Taiwan's best performance since its inclusion in the rankings, attributed to its strong GDP and export growth, along with nearly 10 years of institutional stability.
The IMD World Competitiveness Ranking is a crucial indicator for global industry, government, and academia, evaluating 70 economies across four major aspects: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. The 2026 rankings indicate that as geopolitical tensions escalate, robust institutions and the ability to adapt to volatility and absorb shocks are vital for economic success.
Taiwan's strong GDP and export growth, coupled with significant improvements and stable performance across the four competitiveness dimensions, have propelled its ranking from sixth last year to fourth globally, its best-ever result.
Wang Ssu-wei, Taiwan's Representative to Switzerland, stated that the return of Taiwanese businesses, talent, and capital, along with the momentum from manufacturing, R&D, and recent AI advancements, has led Taiwan to collaborate with top global companies. These positive factors are driving Taiwan's upward trajectory. He added that this year's high ranking is the collective achievement of the government and its people over the past decade.
Furthermore, according to the report's analysis, Singapore's top ranking is primarily due to its business efficiency, allowing it to jump from second place in 2025 to first, reclaiming its 2024 position. This highlights the importance of agile economies that can quickly recover and grow.
Hong Kong continues its upward trend for the third consecutive year, ranking second this year. The improved ranking reflects its consistent performance in government efficiency, infrastructure, economic performance, and business efficiency. Government efficiency remains its strongest competitive advantage, holding the second position for the second consecutive year.
Last year's leader, Switzerland, slipped to third place mainly due to a deterioration in foreign direct investment, demonstrating that even strong economies are susceptible to geopolitical and investment shocks. Concurrently, high living and operating costs continue to affect businesses, and employment performance has weakened, with the employment rate declining in line with long-term growth trends.
Arturo Bris, Director of the World Competitiveness Center, stated at the press conference that as geopolitical situations worsen and global divisions deepen, countries with mature legal systems and credible institutions will have a greater advantage. When the international system fails to meet demands effectively, such institutional foundations help ensure the continuity of business operations.
The report analyzes that in 2026, competitiveness will depend less on cost, scale, or even innovation, and more on the credibility of institutions. The more divided the world becomes, the more important predictable rules, enforceable commitments, and legitimate state capabilities will be.
Following Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates ranked fifth, benefiting from high employment growth and long-term investment. Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States followed in the rankings. (Editor: Song Wanyuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215302
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