Business Dynamics

In the Economic Freedom Ranking, Kenya falls in the bottom third globally, with its weakest performance in Trade Freedom and Fiscal Health. The low accessibility of higher education limits the availability of skilled labour, hindering the business…

This report assesses the business environment in Kuwait, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Laos, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and innovative…

This report assesses the business environment in Latvia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Lebanon, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Lithuania, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Malaysia offers a favourable environment for business operations, ranking among the top third in the Economic Freedom ranking. The country’s businesses benefit from robust economic expansion, numerous free trade agreements, strategic location and…

Mexico’s economic modernisation are attempts clouded by widespread corruption, low government integrity and lack of ICT investments. Poor education and labour skills alongside intensive brain drain remain among major issues limiting advancements in…

Morocco continues to rank as an average performer in terms of Economic Freedom, with its lowest scores in the Labour Freedom and Tax Burden Pillars. Morocco also faces substantial trade barriers, with a worsening score in terms of tariff rates and…

Myanmar struggles with lack of political and economic stability, weak financial sector and widespread corruption, limiting its business environment. The country also face increasing issues with its vast informal labour market, poor financial system,…

New Zealand is among the top five business environments in terms of economic freedom, and the country’s high government integrity points to a low corruption perception, and its absence of tariff and non-tariff barriers adds to an attractive…

Rampant corruption and poor enforcement of property rights continue to hinder Nigeria’s business environment, while heavy constraints on investment capital flow deter potential investors. Nevertheless, Nigeria ranks among the global leaders in labour…

This report assesses the business environment in North Macedonia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Oman, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and innovative…

Pakistan’s business environment is limited by an unstable macroeconomic environment and prevalent corruption. Moreover, a difficult financing landscape and relatively weak labour market, with complex regulations and a significant gender gap, limit…

This report assesses the business environment in Panama, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Paraguay, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Peru’s business environment is facing a high tax burden as well as a lack of skilled labour and political instability. However, the country ranks among the top third of countries in the Index of Economic Freedom due to its trade and investment…

Poland’s strategic geographical position makes logistics and trade of key importance and a strength for the country, with exports accounting for a half of its GDP. Innovation is also a strength, with the budget for research and development as a…

Portugal ranks in the top third globally in the Index of Economic Freedom (IEF) ranking, yet lags behind key regional peers. The country’s business environment is clouded by a relatively heavy tax burden, elevated interest rates and rigid labour…

Qatar’s regulatory and operational environment is attractive to companies, as it has a low tax burden, while the country’s business confidence grew in 2022, despite geopolitical headwinds. However, the efficiency of starting, operating and closing a…

Romania ranks among the top third of countries globally in the Index of Economic Freedom, supported by a favourable tax system and low barriers to trade. In addition, a supportive business environment, advancing labour market regulations and…

With its favourable business environment, advanced transport infrastructure and high ICT adoption, Saudi Arabia is an attractive destination for business operations. The government is committed to ambitious reforms under Vision 2030, investing…

This report assesses the business environment in Serbia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Singapore continues to lead in terms of economic freedoms globally, offering major opportunities for businesses. Its favourable regulations, investment incentives, high innovation capacity, skilled workforce and high productivity offer a solid base…

This report assesses the business environment in Slovakia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Slovenia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

South Africa continues to rank in the bottom half of the Economic Freedom Index, due to the high tax burden, skills shortages and poor fiscal health. However, the country benefits from a stable and sound financial system, high market capitalisation,…

South Korea’s business environment remains attractive to foreign investors, due to its efficient government regulation and world-class infrastructure, as well as its high capacity for innovation and ICT adoption, which continues to improve on the…

The Spanish business environment is globally recognised as one of the most appealing, thanks to its membership in the European Single Market that grants Spanish businesses access to a vast and diversified customer base, as well as the absence of…

In 2022, Sweden maintained high business freedom and an attractive investment climate, placing it among the best locations to conduct business. Strong infrastructure and a high digitalisation level, along with supportive tax policies for R&D…

Taiwan secured a place among the top 10 countries globally in the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom Ranking, riding on its major strengths of a highly skilled workforce, a robust financial system, sound investment incentives, and a well-established…

Tanzania’s operational and regulatory environment faces difficulties, due to the weak rule of law, resulting in an economy lacking freedom. Although the investment environment has improved, there are still constraints, and the country ranks low…

Thailand still holds appeal as a desirable location for less value-added industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, due to its advantageous labour costs and supportive FDI policies. In addition, Thailand is increasing investments into its…

In 2022, the Czech Republic had a business-friendly environment, with efficient banking and a free trade policy, allowing for easy access to financing and few barriers to the import and export of goods and services. The country has a high FDI…

The Netherlands has a highly developed economy, with a competitive business environment and a stable financial sector. The quality of the country’s judicial system is among the highest in the world, and political corruption is not tolerated. The…

In 2022, the Philippines struggled with monetary freedom and judicial effectiveness, and has seen a decline in its tax burden ranking. However, the country’s flexible business regulations, convenient location and financial sector improvements have…

The UK continues to boast among the most favourable business environments globally, supported by a stable economy, advanced infrastructure and a skilled workforce. While the UK’s medium-sized enterprises are set to benefit from reduced regulatory and…

With its highly developed ICT sector, favourable investment environment, developed infrastructure and healthy finance sector, the US ranks among the top countries in terms of economic freedom globally. During 2022, the government’s initiatives to…

This report assesses the business environment in Tunisia, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Turkey continues to rank relatively low in terms of economic freedom as starting and operating a business remain difficult in the country. The lack of macroeconomic stability, a depreciating currency, shortages of skilled workers and lower innovation…

This report assesses the business environment in Turkmenistan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Uganda’s economic environment remains not free, due to corruption, which hampers business operations, and poor government management of infrastructure projects, hindering progress, despite foreign investment aimed at improving the country’s…

The United Arab Emirates performs well in terms of economic freedom in the Middle East and Africa as well as by global comparison, owing to strong economic growth, a rapid rate of business sector liberalisation, government support for SMEs, developed…

This report assesses the business environment in Uruguay, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

This report assesses the business environment in Uzbekistan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

In 2022, Vietnam's business environment enjoyed a large working-age population and political stability. Vietnam is emerging as a tech and electronics export hub, with machinery and electronics accounting for a significant portion of its GDP. However,…

The briefing introduces the Cities Households Necessities Spending Index. The index ranks 1,075 cities by household expenditure on non-discretionary items, namely food, housing, and clothing and footwear. This analysis focuses on 160 major cities.…

Travel and tourism creates as much as 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, with calls for “a little less conversation, a little more action” when it comes to the sector’s engagement with the climate, despite progress made since the pandemic. There…

The report examines key factors in supply chain risks in metals, energy and agricultural commodities. Production, market supply concentration and political risks analysis can help to better identify potential risks and prepare for potential…