Malaysia has climbed 11 spots to 23rd place in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025 — its highest since 2020 — reflecting strong progress in economic recovery and reforms under the Madani Economy framework.

According to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the rise from 34th to 23rd was driven by improved economic performance, government efficiency, and business efficiency. Malaysia now ranks 4th globally in economic performance, with notable gains in international trade, supported by robust exports, diverse markets, and increased tourism.MITI expressed confidence in achieving the nation’s goal of becoming one of the top 12 most competitive economies by 2033, citing strong governance and collaboration with the private sector.Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz highlighted that the government’s structural reforms and reduced bureaucracy have made Malaysia more attractive for investment. The reforms are coordinated through the National Competitiveness Committee (JKDSN) and implemented by the Special Taskforce on Agency Reform (STAR), with over 1,000 ongoing projects.The WCR is published annually by Switzerland's Institute for Management Development, evaluating countries based on long-term business competitiveness and prosperity.