Thailand has fallen to 30th place, from 25th last year, out of 69 economies, in the 2025 World Competitiveness Rankings, according to the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
IMD, which evaluates countries based on four main criteria, reveals that Thailand's performance declined across all four. Economic performance fell to 8th place, government efficiency to 32nd, business efficiency to 24th and infrastructure to 47th.
Among its ASEAN peers, Thailand now trails behind Malaysia, which ranks 23rd, but remains ahead of Indonesia, at 40th, and the Philippines at 51st.
IMD highlights that Thailand will face multifaceted challenges in 2025, including the impact of US tariff policies, geopolitical tensions and geo-economic uncertainties.
The organisation recommends that the Thai government implement quick-win interventions, to close talent gaps in key industries and strengthen public-private partnerships, in order to be able to navigate the economic headwinds expected this year.
By Franc Han Shih, Thai PBS World
