The ninth edition of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2022, by French business school Insead in partnership with the Portulans and Human Leadership institutes, measured how 133 countries and 175 cities in 79 economies grow, attract, and retain talent. The focus this year was how economic inequality impacts talent development, with a spotlight on the aftermath of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
In the 2022 ranking, Switzerland and Singapore maintained their lead as the most competitive countries, while many European economies – especially the Nordic ones – remained present in the Top 10. But the global talent competitiveness scene remains dynamic, and carries encouraging signs, the report shows.
Denmark outpaced the US and entered the Top 3, while, for the first time since 2017, Estonia entered the Top 20. Middle income countries also showed significant individual and regional performances. China continued its climb, moving up one spot this year, its new record position through excellent performance in several pillars.
Despite continuing imbalances, the global talent competitiveness scene remains dynamic, and carries encouraging signs. Denmark outpaces the US and enters the Top 3. China continues its climb, moving up one spot this year, its new record position through excellent performance in several pillars.
Recent and current crises could have a negative and sometimes irreversible impact on the talent situation of poorer economies. COVID persists in our lives while international tensions and inflation have increased to startling levels. Limitations to the circulation of goods, services and people may increase, with significant impact on labour markets.
“Swift actions are urgently required to reduce talent inequalities. Governments and organisations should champion economic and education reforms to allow young generations to contribute through higher levels of entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity.”, said Felipe Monteiro, Co-author of the report, Academic Director of the GTCI and INSEAD Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy.
Top 10 countries for attracting talent:
As for the most competitive cities for talent, San Francisco (USA) was ranked highest for the second year in a row, followed by Boston (USA) and Zurich (Switzerland), which moved up a notch from last year. The index is once again overrun by Europe, which accounts for more than a third of all places (68 out of 175).
“In the global competition for talents, cities continue to move faster than most nation states. This year’s GCTCI champions include Singapore and San Francisco, two cities that have successfully combined high-performance online services for their citizens with sustainable strategies. Other cities have adopted innovative talent strategies by making good use of their comparative advantages, like Dubai, which combines its global transport advantage and advanced medical services into a medical-tourism proposition. Many top performing cities align their resources with what they see as the future of work: they offer shared working spaces and collaboration opportunities for free agents, gig-workers, and digital nomads, to whom special e-residency permits are offered (Singapore, Tallinn, Quito).”, added Bruno Lanvin, Co-author of the report, Distinguished Fellow at INSEAD and Co-Founder of Portulans Institute.
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Source: The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2022
