Saudi Arabia has jumped four places to secure the 13th spot globally in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, a significant move that positions it as the third most competitive economy within the G20. The annual report from the IMD World Competitiveness Center evaluates 70 economies, and the Kingdom’s improved standing reflects tangible progress in its business climate and economic performance, driven by widespread national reforms.
Quick Facts
- Global Rank: 13th out of 70 economies, up four spots.
- G20 Rank: 3rd, trailing only the United States and China.
- Key Drivers: Major gains in business and government efficiency.
Vision 2030 Reforms Fuel The Climb
The advancement is attributed to improved performance across all four main pillars of the report. The Kingdom’s rank for business efficiency rose from 12th to 9th, while both economic performance and government efficiency climbed from 17th to 12th. Infrastructure also saw a gain, moving from 31st to 28th place.
Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Saudi Competitiveness Center, stated that the progress in this and other international indicators is a direct outcome of the economic and regulatory reforms implemented under Saudi Vision 2030.
A Closer Look at The Numbers
Beyond the headline rank, Saudi Arabia demonstrated strength in multiple specialized areas. The report shows the country ranked in the top three globally across 17 different sub-indicators, including growth in commercial services exports, support of banking and financial services for business, and corporate cybersecurity.
Overall, the Kingdom placed among the world’s top 10 economies in 74 of the 262 sub-indicators measured. This broad-based improvement highlights a more resilient and attractive business environment for both local and international companies.
Executive Confidence and Business Climate
An Executive Opinion Survey included in the report underscored growing confidence in the Saudi market. Business leaders pointed to the dynamism of the economy, government efficiency, and reliable infrastructure as key factors making the Kingdom an attractive place to operate. Other highlighted strengths included policy stability, access to financing, an effective legal environment, and a business-friendly climate. These results signal that reforms are not just on paper but are being felt by executives on the ground.
About the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking
The IMD World Competitiveness Ranking is a leading annual report that measures the competitiveness of countries. It serves as a key reference for international organizations and institutions, providing a comprehensive analysis of how economies manage their competencies to achieve long-term value creation.
Source: Entarabi
