Bulletin 25-4: IMD World Competitiveness Rankings

The NCPC is pleased to publish Bulletin 25-4 on IMD World Competitiveness Rankings. This Bulletin provides an assessment of Ireland’s performance in the latest annual World Competitiveness Rankings by the IMD. This year’s IMD report ranks Ireland as the most competitive country in the euro area and the 7th most competitive economy in the world (out of 69 economies), a decline from last year’s 4th position.

Ireland has improved its ranking from 2024 in two out of the four core pillars of competitiveness assessed by the IMD – Economic Performance, 9th (up from 10th), Government Efficiency, 5th (up from 6th), while the Infrastructure pillar remained unchanged at 17^th. Ireland’s ranking in the Business Efficiency pillar deteriorated from 3^rd in 2024 to 11^th in 2025. Against an exceptionally challenging and uncertain geopolitical backdrop, Ireland will have to continue to harness these strengths to compete, while seeking to address identified areas of weakness. The forthcoming Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity should address these challenges while maintaining our competitive strengths.