Taiwan has fallen two spots to eighth in the latest world competitiveness rankings, according to a yearbook released yesterday by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
Despite the setback after five consecutive years of rising in the rankings, Taiwan still outperformed most major economies, including the US (12th), China (14th), South Korea (20th) and Japan (38th).
Additionally, Taiwan remained the most competitive economy among those with a population of more than 20 million for the fourth consecutive year, IMD data showed.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Among the four main indicators used to compile the rankings, Taiwan ranked sixth in business efficiency (down from fourth a year earlier), eighth in government efficiency (unchanged) and 10th in infrastructure (up from 12th).
The biggest change came in the economic performance category, in which Taiwan slumped six spots to 26th, the third consecutive year its ranking in the category fell.
Among specific indicators, it fell four places to 13th for “domestic economy,” down four places to 14th for “prices” and down three places to 48th for “international trade.”
However, there was improvement in the “employment” and the “international investment” indicators.
Commenting on the falling ranking, the National Development Council said the slide was the result of weak demand caused by high inflation and high interest rates worldwide last year.
Companies have adopted a more cautious approach and their ongoing efforts to draw down inventory last year also affected Taiwan’s overall export performance, the council said.
Future challenges for Taiwan would involve accelerating the digital and net zero dual transformation, as well as diversifying supply chains to strengthen economic resilience, the IMD said.
Taiwan should also deepen international cooperation to address geopolitical and climate change challenges, and improve the cultivation of domestic talent and recruit foreign professionals for key industries, it said.
The IMD rankings identified Singapore as the most competitive economy out of the 67 surveyed.
Rounding out the top 10 were Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, Hong Kong, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Norway.
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