Switzerland named the world’s most competitive country in 2025

Switzerland has been ranked the most competitive country in the world in the Eight Competitiveness Report 2025, outperforming 57 other nations across the four pillars of Economics, Society, Education, and Sustainability. The study, produced by Eight International’s Competitiveness Lab, shows that the countries best equipped for long-term success are not necessarily the largest economies, but those that combine prosperity with social trust, stable institutions, and sustainable development.

The global index evaluates 58 countries through 28 indicators, grouping them into five performance clusters (A–E). It measures how effectively nations transform their people, institutions, and resources into shared and lasting progress. Notably, the Society pillar emerges as the strongest predictor of national competitiveness, with the highest correlation to overall performance (r = 0.949), underscoring the importance of social cohesion, integrity, and confidence in institutions as foundations of long-term strength.

“Competitiveness today is no longer about size or growth at all costs. The most successful nations balance economics, society, education, and sustainability, this balance is the ultimate competitive advantage,” said Pascal Raidron, President of Eight International.

Balance as the new global advantage

Small, agile nations dominate the top ranks, with Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway excelling thanks to strong governance, innovation ecosystems, and balanced progress. Larger economies show more uneven profiles: France ranks 17th (strong in Education and Sustainability but weaker in Economics), the United States 19th (economic power offset by social and environmental challenges), and India 53rd (fast growth yet persistent gaps in Education and Society).

The study also reveals a widening global divide: only 1% of the world’s population lives in the top-performing Group A nations, while 80% reside in the lowest D and E clusters. “Investors and policymakers increasingly look beyond GDP to resilience, transparency, and long-term certainty,” said Alexis Karklins-Marchay, Secretary General of Eight International. “Our report shows where that resilience is strongest, and where transformative progress remains possible.”

The report concludes that low corruption, transparent institutions, strategic public spending, sustainability and education are the true pillars of modern competitiveness. Europe remains the most balanced region overall, though gaps persist between Western and Central/Eastern countries. As the study highlights, the future belongs to nations capable of harmonizing growth, social trust, and sustainability, a balance that Switzerland continues to embody.