Ireland rises to 6th place in the IMD Global Competitiveness Yearbook

The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) is reputed as being the worldwide reference point on the competitiveness of nations, ranking and analysing how an economy manages the totality of its resources and competencies to increase the prosperity of its population. It has been published since 1989 and compares the competitiveness of 63 countries on the basis of over 300 criteria. It is based on hard data statistics and a business executives' opinion survey.

Ireland's competitiveness ranking as benchmarked by the IMD has improved from 7th to 6th most competitive economy in the world. Ireland is the 2nd most competitive economy in the Euro area. 

Ireland achieved top ranking position in a number of important sub factors as follows:-

•    1st for Labour Productivity 
 
•    1st for Investment Incentives 

•    1st for National Culture
 
•    1st for Flexibility and adaptability
 
•    1st for Attracting and retaining talent

•    1st for Attitudes towards globalisation

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “Rankings matter in the foreign investment industry - and the IMD survey is one of the most important.”

“International competition for mobile investment opportunities remains extremely high. The progress which Ireland has made in recent years in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook is significant. We are now firmly positioned as a leading destination of choice for global businesses.”