Country Risk Profile · Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

New Zealand

Country Profile

Population

5,338,500

Global avg: 41.5M

Area

267,710 km²

Global avg: 714,913 km²

Population Density

20 /km²

World: 58 /km²

GDP (Nominal)

$260.2B

Global avg: $569.2B

GDP per Capita

$48,747

World: $13,684

Sustainable Competitiveness

Overall GSCI Rank

#30

of 193 countries

Overall Score

53.7

85% of best score · 85th percentile

vs. Global Average

+8.4 higher

Global average: 45.4

2026 Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index Performance

Overall competitiveness score (high score → lower risk)

Rank 30 / 193
025507510053.7New Zealand62.9Global best45.4Global average(Sweden)

10-year change (2015–2025)

-1.8

vs global trend

10-year outlook (projection)

-4.1

Sustainable Competitiveness Dimensions for New Zealand

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

Natural Capital

Rank 68 / 193
025507510053.8New Zealand66.4Global best49.9Global average

Resource Efficiency

Rank 108 / 193
025507510045.9New Zealand60.8Global best46.6Global average

Social Capital

Rank 33 / 193
025507510053.2New Zealand62.0Global best45.0Global average

Intellectual Capital

Rank 32 / 193
025507510058.8New Zealand79.7Global best40.4Global average

Economic Sustainability

Rank 69 / 193
025507510044.3New Zealand61.2Global best42.0Global average

Governance

Rank 20 / 193
025507510066.3New Zealand75.1Global best48.3Global average
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Key figures and GSCI 2026 results for New Zealand

New Zealand ranks 30th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 53.7. This is 85% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places New Zealand in the 85th percentile, 8.4 points above the global average of 45.4.
New Zealand performs best in Governance (20th) and Intellectual Capital (32nd), and weakest in Resource Efficiency (108th) and Economic Sustainability (69th). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Social Capital 33rd, Natural Capital 68th.
New Zealand's GSCI score has declined by 1.8 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is negative (-4.1 points).
New Zealand has a population of 5.3 million, 87% below the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 20 people per km², 66% below the world average (58). Its GDP is $260.2 billion, 54% below the average country ($569.2 billion).
New Zealand's GDP per capita is $48,747, 3.6 times 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.

Read the full methodology

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