SA Surges Up Global Rankings
Updated: Jul 7
South Africa climbed ten places to fifty-fourth position out of seventy surveyed economies in the 2026 World Competitiveness Yearbook.
This notable turnaround follows a disappointing drop to sixty-fifth place in the previous year's global assessment.
The annual rankings evaluate nations across four distinct pillars including economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.
Major gains in government and business efficiency drove the country's upward trajectory, whilst infrastructure showed moderate progress.
Government efficiency improved from 63rd to 54th, and business efficiency, which rose from 57th to 42nd.
Infrastructure moved from 62nd to 59th. However, economic performance slipped slightly from 63rd to 64th.
Productivity SA Chief Economist, Dr Lungelo Cele, noted that this improvement should still be interpreted within the broader context of ongoing structural economic challenges.
The report attributes the rise to better government policy adaptability, increased transparency, and improved energy infrastructure
“Competitiveness is built, not granted and to grow competitiveness there must be investment in long-cycle assets that compound over years,” Cele stated.
Switzerland's IMD Senior Economist Dr José Caballero emphasised that long-term investments in education and infrastructure remain vital for sustained growth.
“The results indicate growing confidence in aspects of South Africa’s policy and institutional environment,” Caballero.
Despite the positive shift, severe obstacles like high unemployment, rising public debt, and crime continue to threaten progress.
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