IMD World Competitiveness Booklet 2021

Preface

In the pages of this publication a year ago, we were outlining the beginning of what seemed to be a health and economic crisis. We were speaking about the pandemic that was on our doorsteps while political leaders worldwide used different strategies to contain the infections and protect the citizens of their countries. Here we are, a year later, and COVID remains one of the most important challenges for the world economy according to most surveyed executives in highly competitive economies. This highlights the underlying finding that economies that performed well in the ‘first’ wave of the pandemic found themselves in challenging times in the ‘second’ or ‘third’ waves. We are pleased and proud to present the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2021 . The IMD World Competitiveness Center team is dedicated to assessing how economies fared in generating long-term value for their citizens. This year we have the pleasure of welcoming a new economy in the group of countries we study, Botswana, increasing the total number to 64. The 33 rd edition of this publication is launched at a most critical moment for the whole world. The presence of the pandemic challenged all the economies on how to cope with the consequences of COVID. The results show that the agility of an economy, its access to a diversified portfolio of goods produced and trade partners, and its capacity to support its citizens to face the pandemic, have been essential for navigating the crisis. We know how privileged we are to enjoy the support of a substantial group of stakeholders. Our Partner Institutes coordinate part of the demanding task to gather and validate the necessary data employed; The IMD Alumni community and our Panel of Experts from all the countries who respond to our questionnaire; The IMD faculty and staff that support us, and provide feedback. We are fortunate and honored for their continuous collaboration. This year, once again, they managed to make us feel that it was business as usual and not a uniquely complicated, and difficult environment working remotely to create the Yearbook. The reason you have this publication in your hands now is, for a great part, because of our stakeholders. We are grateful!

Professor Arturo Bris Director

Dr Christos Cabolis Chief Economist & Head of Operations

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IMD WORLD COMPETITIVENESS BOOKLET 2021