Singapore has achieved a significant milestone by overtaking Switzerland to claim the top spot in the latest Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), according to a report released on November 26, 2025. This marks the first time Singapore has led the annual ranking, which was established by INSEAD in 2013 to evaluate policies related to labor markets and talent development.
The GTCI assesses 135 economies based on 77 indicators across six dimensions, including the ability to enable, attract, grow, and retain talent. The theme for this year’s index, titled “Resilience in the Age of Disruption,” focuses on how countries are adapting to the challenges posed by rapid technological changes and global uncertainties. The report highlights the importance of cultivating workforces that are digitally fluent and prepared for innovation, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence.
Felipe Monteiro, Academic Director of GTCI and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy at INSEAD, emphasized the need for resilience in talent development. He stated, “True resilience in talent is turning adversity into a catalyst for innovation, adaptability and renewed purpose.” This sentiment reflects the growing recognition that countries must not only recover from challenges but also leverage them to foster growth.
Shifts in Global Rankings
The latest GTCI report reveals a notable decline in the rankings of several major economies, with the United States dropping from third to ninth place. High-income European nations continued to dominate the top ten, but the landscape is shifting as countries like Singapore demonstrate their capacity to develop superior talent ecosystems.
Singapore excelled particularly in the category of Generalist Adaptive Skills, showcasing a workforce equipped with critical soft skills, digital literacy, and innovative thinking. Additionally, Singapore’s ability to retain talent improved significantly, rising seven positions to rank thirty-first globally.
Paul Evans, Emeritus Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, remarked, “Economies that cultivate adaptable, cross-functional and AI-literate workforces tend to be better positioned to convert disruption into opportunity and sustain long-term competitiveness.” This underscores a critical realization that talent competitiveness extends beyond income levels; it hinges on strategic policy orientation and effective human capital mobilization.
Regional Insights and Future Implications
The report also highlights how different regions perform in talent development. Europe remains a stronghold, with 18 of the top 25 positions occupied by European nations. Germany ranked seventeenth, followed by France at nineteenth and the United Kingdom at twelfth.
In Asia and Oceania, Australia and New Zealand ranked tenth and eighteenth respectively, demonstrating strengths in talent retention but lagging behind Singapore in General Adaptive Skills. Meanwhile, China experienced a decline from fortieth to fifty-third place, attributed to a less favorable business climate along with potential data limitations.
The report also noted that economies such as Israel, Singapore, and South Korea have managed to achieve impressive talent outcomes with relatively fewer resources. Even lower-middle-income countries like Tajikistan, Kenya, and Bangladesh displayed promising foundations for talent development, suggesting that adaptability and strategic alignment of education and labor markets can lead to high performance.
As the GTCI continues to evolve, Rafael Escalona Reynoso, CEO of the Portulans Institute, commented on the ongoing collaboration with INSEAD. He stated, “This partnership brings renewed depth and clarity to the GTCI at a time when rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and profound societal transitions make dependable talent metrics more essential than ever.”
The findings from the GTCI 2025 serve as a vital resource for leaders and policymakers seeking to enhance their countries’ competitive edge through innovative talent strategies. As the report indicates, the ability to cultivate skills that foster collaboration, innovation, and adaptability will be key to navigating the complexities of the modern economic landscape.
