South Africa has moved up in the World Competitiveness rankings, according to the Department of Employment and Labour. The department says the latest results point to measurable gains in areas the index tracks, improving how the country is perceived as a place to do business and create jobs.
The World Competitiveness Ranking, compiled annually by the IMD business school, blends hard data (such as productivity, trade, and infrastructure) with an executive survey to judge how effectively an economy uses its resources. In practice, that means performance across four pillars—economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure—adds up to a single position on the table. “Competitiveness” here refers to an economy’s ability to generate value and employment sustainably, not a race to cut costs.
Officials linked the improvement to ongoing policy and administrative efforts, alongside private-sector adjustments to persistent challenges like energy reliability and logistics. While the ranking is not a guarantee of growth, it can influence investor sentiment and partnerships that matter for jobs and expansion. Read the full announcement.