Country Risk Profile · Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

China

Country Profile

Population

1,408,975,000

Global avg: 41.5M

Area

9,562,910 km²

Global avg: 714,913 km²

Population Density

147 /km²

World: 58 /km²

GDP (Nominal)

$18.74T

Global avg: $569.2B

GDP per Capita

$13,303

World: $13,684

Sustainable Competitiveness

Overall GSCI Rank

#34

of 193 countries

Overall Score

52.6

84% of best score · 83rd percentile

vs. Global Average

+7.3 higher

Global average: 45.4

2026 Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index Performance

Overall competitiveness score (high score → lower risk)

Rank 34 / 193
025507510052.6China62.9Global best45.4Global average(Sweden)

10-year change (2015–2025)

+3.9

vs global trend

10-year outlook (projection)

+3.4

Sustainable Competitiveness Dimensions for China

How China compares to the global best and global average across the six GSCI dimensions.

Natural Capital

Rank 167 / 193
025507510042.1China66.4Global best49.9Global average

Resource Efficiency

Rank 153 / 193
025507510041.0China60.8Global best46.6Global average

Social Capital

Rank 69 / 193
025507510048.0China62.0Global best45.0Global average

Intellectual Capital

Rank 7 / 193
025507510072.1China79.7Global best40.4Global average

Economic Sustainability

Rank 15 / 193
025507510054.1China61.2Global best42.0Global average

Governance

Rank 42 / 193
025507510058.5China75.1Global best48.3Global average
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Key figures and GSCI 2026 results for China

China ranks 34th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 52.6. This is 84% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places China in the 83rd percentile, 7.3 points above the global average of 45.4.
China performs best in Intellectual Capital (7th) and Economic Sustainability (15th), and weakest in Natural Capital (167th) and Resource Efficiency (153rd). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Governance 42nd, Social Capital 69th.
China's GSCI score has improved by 3.9 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is positive (+3.4 points).
China has a population of 1.41 billion, 33.9 times the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 147 people per km², 2.5 times the world average (58). Its GDP is $18.74 trillion, 32.9 times the average country ($569.2 billion).
China's GDP per capita is $13,303, 3% below the world average of $13,684.
The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.

Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

Browse the full GSCI: 193 countries ranked across six structural dimensions of sustainable competitiveness, built on 296 quantitative indicators from the World Bank, UN, IMF, IEA, and other recognised data providers.

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About the GSCI methodology

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index ranks 193 countries across six structural dimensions. Scores are derived from 200+ quantitative indicators sourced from the World Bank, UN, IMF, IEA, and other recognised data providers.

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