Singapore tops global talent index as governance and education strengthen

Singapore also ranked first globally in formal education, regulatory landscape, and generalist adaptive skills.

Singapore has taken the top spot in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2025 for the first time, ahead of Switzerland, which moves to second place.

The report credits Singapore’s rise to effective governance, high living standards, a rapidly evolving education system, and stronger talent retention, with its retention rank improving by seven places to 31st.

Singapore also ranked first globally in formal education, regulatory landscape, and generalist adaptive skills.

The report’s top 10 rankings are: Singapore (1st), Switzerland (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Finland (4th), Sweden (5th), the Netherlands (6th), Norway (7th), Luxembourg (8th), the United States (9th), and Australia (10th).

Several major economies lost ground. The United States fell from 3rd in 2023 to 9th, weighed down by weaker scores in generalist adaptive skills and the attract and enable pillars, though it remains strong in growing talent and vocational and technical skills.

China dropped to 53rd from 40th, citing a weaker enabling environment, though the report notes some results are affected by data availability. India inched up to 100th, whilst Brazil (68th) and Mexico (70th) also improved.

The study highlighted countries that “punch above their weight” in talent efficiency, the ability to convert inputs into strong talent outcomes.

This group includes Israel, Singapore, South Korea, and several lower-middle-income countries such as Tajikistan, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, showing that competitiveness is not solely determined by national wealth.