Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 18
Mainland China Climbs 4 Places to 12th in IMD Competitiveness Ranking
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 18

Mainland China Climbs 4 Places to 12th in IMD Competitiveness Ranking

3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 18

Summary

  • China rose to 12th in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, up four places from 16th and marking its highest position since 2022.
  • The gain came despite weaker economic performance, soft domestic demand and concerns over foreign market access highlighted in the report.
  • IMD said competitiveness matters more as global fragmentation and geopolitical conditions worsen, making institutional credibility a bigger advantage for economies seeking to keep business operating normally.

Insights

How did China’s competitiveness rank rise despite its weak domestic demand and deepening demographic crisis?
With global supply chains fracturing, is China's export-driven economic model now fundamentally unsustainable?
Can China's massive bet on AI and automation truly save its economy from a shrinking population?