Global Country Strength Index Scores

The Country Strength Index reflects a country’s macroeconomic, growth potential, political, and social strength. In particular, it is based on the four model’s pillars – external adjustment capacity, institutional robustness, medium-term growth potential, and social inclusion. In our latest update for the third quarter of 2023, Macau, Australia, and Denmark emerge as the strongest countries, while Eritrea, Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea stand at the bottom of the ranking.

Source: Continuum Economics
While the top three countries generally perform well across the four pillars, Macau and Denmark particularly excel in the external adjustment capacity pillar, which assesses a country's vulnerability and its ability to adapt to external macroeconomic shocks. According to the International Monetary Fund, Macau exhibits a current account balance equivalent to 19.9% of its GDP. Additionally, the country boasts reserves equivalent to 11 months of imports, as per the latest data from the World Bank. Similarly, Denmark is anticipated to have a current account balance of 11.4% of its GDP in 2023. This Nordic nation further benefits from a low general government gross, estimated at 30.1% of GDP for the same year.

Australia stands out in the social inclusion pillar, which measures the extent to which the benefits of economic growth are shared throughout society. The country excels in upper secondary vocational education and tertiary attainment, surpassing OECD averages. Australians aged 16-65 exhibit above-average literacy proficiency compared to their international peers. Life expectancy at birth in Australia is 83 years, exceeding the OECD average by two years. Additionally, Australia maintains a lower homicide rate of 0.9, contrasting with the OECD average of 2.6, as per the latest OECD data.