Hong Kong's global competitiveness has continued to rise, with the city ranking second globally in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development.
Hong Kong has performed strongly across a wide range of indicators. It tops the charts in "Tax policy" and "Business legislation"; ranks second in "Finance"; and third in "International trade", "International investment", "Management practices" and "Education", underscoring the city’s clear institutional strengths and market efficiency.
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 as the ‘Four Centres and One Hub’. They also demonstrate that Hong Kong is the premier two-way springboard connecting the Chinese Mainland and international markets."
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.
This ranking underscores Hong Kong's resilience and attractiveness as a global business hub, particularly given the city's top scores in tax policy and business legislation, which are critical for attracting foreign investment. The strong performance in finance, trade, and management practices further cements Hong Kong's role as a leading international financial center and gateway to the Chinese market.
For more information, visit the HKTDC Media Room.
