In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong's global competitiveness has continued to rise, with the city ranking second globally this year. The rankings underscore Hong Kong’s clear institutional strengths and market efficiency across a wide range of indicators.
Hong Kong tops the charts in "Tax policy" and "Business legislation"; ranks second in "Finance"; and third in "International trade", "International investment", "Management practices" and "Education". These results highlight the city’s competitive advantages as the "Four Centres and One Hub" and demonstrate that Hong Kong is the premier two-way springboard connecting the Chinese Mainland and international markets.
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said: "The WCY 2026 reaffirms Hong Kong’s competitiveness and business advantages. Together with a number of recent international reports showing that Hong Kong has become the world’s fifth-largest trading entity, overtaken Switzerland to rank first globally in cross-border wealth management, and remained among the top global destinations for IPO fundraising, these positive developments highlight Hong Kong’s competitive advantages."
Prof Ma added that HKTDC will continue to actively support the Hong Kong Special Administration Region government, to proactively align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan. Leveraging the city’s unique strengths as a superconnector and super value-adder, the HKTDC will help Hong Kong better integrate into and contribute to the nation’s overall development.
For more information about HKTDC and its initiatives, visit the HKTDC Media Room and the official website at www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
The WCY 2026 results underscore Hong Kong’s resilience and adaptability in a competitive global landscape. As the city continues to strengthen its role as a financial hub and trade gateway, these rankings provide a benchmark for its ongoing development and integration into national strategies.
