Switzerland Tops IMD’s 2025 Digital Competitiveness Ranking
Amid increasing global trade tensions, Switzerland has retained its leading position in digital competitiveness, surpassing the United States and Singapore. The country continues to affirm its reputation as one of the most digitally advanced economies globally.
The 2025 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR), published by the Lausanne-based Institute for Management Development (IMD), evaluates 69 economies according to their capability to adopt and exploit digital technologies for economic and social advancement.
Leading Economies in Digital Advancement
- 1st – Switzerland
- 2nd – United States
- 3rd – Singapore
Switzerland’s performance highlights its strong digital infrastructure, advanced education systems, and robust innovation environment. Yet, experts caution that increasing regulatory changes and trade fragmentation could challenge this leadership in coming years.
“Digitally speaking, Switzerland has experienced two important developments so far this year: the cataclysmic effects of tariff changes and the approval of e-ID by a razor-thin margin (50.4% in favor). It’s clear that the Swiss aren’t as prepared as we might have hoped to embrace the challenges of technology today.”
— Arturo Bris, Director of IMD’s World Competitiveness Center (WCC)
IMD notes that trade frictions are increasingly affecting data flows, technical standards, and investment strategies — all critical factors influencing global digital competitiveness.
Author’s Summary
Switzerland secures the top spot in IMD’s 2025 digital ranking, but experts warn that shifting trade and regulatory dynamics could erode its technological advantage.