Photo : KBS News
South Korea’s global competitiveness ranking has risen to No. 21 this year.
According to the annual report, released Thursday by the International Institute for Management Development, South Korea ranked 21st in terms of world competitiveness among the 70 economies surveyed in 2026, up six notches from 2025.
The Lausanne, Switzerland-based institute releases annual competitiveness rankings based on an economy’s achievements, infrastructure, and government and corporate efficiency.
South Korea was second only to the United States among countries with a gross domestic product per capita of 30-thousand U.S. dollars or higher and a population of at least 50 million.
South Korea’s productivity rose to 34th on the list from 45th, while its labor market competitiveness also improved, sending it to 45th from 53rd.
The country’s financial market ranking moved to 29th place from 33rd.
Its infrastructure ranking jumped to No. 15 from No. 21.
Singapore took the top spot in the overall ranking, followed by Hong Kong and Switzerland.
The United States finished in tenth place, while China ranked 12th and Japan was 30th.