Talent Competitiveness: Singapore Soars, France Stalls

A Shaken-Up Ranking

For the first time since its launch in 2013, the GTCI ranks Singapore at the top of the 135 economies analyzed. The city-state has dethroned Switzerland, which held the number one spot for a long time, by adopting a proactive approach to skill enhancement: continuous adaptation of the educational system, a high digital culture, and massive development of innovation and AI skills. INSEAD researchers, who oversee the index, emphasize that countries capable of cultivating an agile, cross-functional workforce with AI proficiency are those best able to turn disruptions into opportunities.

Europe remains strongly represented at the top of the ranking, capturing 18 out of the first 25 slots. The Swiss-Scandinavian block continues to lead (Switzerland 2nd, Denmark 3rd, Finland 4th, Sweden 5th), closely followed by the Netherlands, Norway, and Luxembourg. Ireland, Austria, Iceland, Germany, and Belgium complete this resilient group.

In this reshaped landscape, France holds onto its 19th place, just as it did last year. Solid, yet without genuine advancement. France ranks 14th in Europe and 19th among high-income countries, scoring well in education, lifelong learning, intermediate skills, and high technical skills. Its weaknesses lie elsewhere: attractiveness, internal openness (inclusion and mobility of its own talent), and most notably employability, a recurring point of underperformance.

Compared to its G7 counterparts, France boasts a high GDP per capita but lags in its GTCI score. The ranking indicates that economic power and talent competitiveness are not directly correlated: what matters is the ability to align public policy, education, business, and research around a coherent vision.

The observation is clear: for the past decade, France has fluctuated between the 19th and 24th positions. A sign of stability, but not of structural improvement.

Adaptability: A Key Driver of Competitiveness in the AI Era

The central theme of the GTCI 2025—"Resilience in the Age of Disruption"—highlights what the most successful countries have understood: in a world where AI, technological transitions, and geopolitical crises are reshuffling the deck, competitiveness no longer relies solely on wealth levels, but on the ability to convert resources into measurable outcomes.

Several countries exemplify this efficiency: Israel, South Korea, and Singapore achieve better scores than their income levels might suggest. At the other end of the spectrum, some emerging countries—Tajikistan, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh—impress with their positive momentum, proving that effective human capital governance can change the equation.

Even low-income economies like Rwanda demonstrate that it is possible to build strong foundations for talent development when policies are aligned.

In this edition, the case of Singapore is emblematic. The city-state ranks first in adaptability skills, a particularly revealing indicator: workers' ability to collaborate, think interdisciplinarily, innovate under pressure, and navigate complex digital environments. These soft skills have become critical in a global market marked by technological disruptions.

Paul Evans, emeritus professor and co-editor of the report, summarizes the challenge: « Economies that cultivate an adaptable, cross-functional workforce proficient in AI are better positioned to transform disruptions into opportunities. » A direct message to governments: AI is no longer a differentiating skill but a basic requirement.

The ranking also highlights some setbacks: the United States, for example, falls from 3rd to 9th place, reflecting a more fragmented labor market and a less favorable business climate. China, now in 53rd place, sees a significant drop in this edition, although the authors note that missing data could also influence this result.

France: A High-Performing Yet Non-Transformative Country

France's retention of the 19th position is ambivalent. It reflects both a certain robustness—solid educational system, quality training, advanced skills—and a difficulty in reaching the next level. The country remains hindered by its low attractiveness, limited internal openness, and a labor market struggling to fully mobilize available skills.

The authors of the GTCI are clear: talent competitiveness now relies on the ability to align education, innovation, and work organization. Countries that manage to « do more with less » are the ones advancing the fastest. France performs, but doesn't convert enough.

The new collaboration between INSEAD and the Portulans Institute, announced in this edition, aims to enhance the reliability of measurements and refine resilience criteria. Another signal: as disruptive technologies redefine HR strategies, managing human capital is becoming a national priority.

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