Romania drops in World Competitiveness ranking as Moldova's GDP‑per‑capita rank released

Romania fell 12 places in the 2026 World Competitiveness Yearbook, landing at rank 61 and slipping behind neighbours Bulgaria (56), Hungary (51) and Poland (41). The report highlighted structural weaknesses and urged Bucharest to tighten public finances, boost technology investment, support digital transformation of the private sector and improve health and education systems.

A separate IMF‑based ranking of GDP per‑capita placed Ireland at second globally, while Japan dropped from second place. The same list noted the position of the Republic of Moldova among the world’s richest economies per‑capita, underscoring shifts in wealth distribution over the past 25 years.