MEDIA RELEASE 06 NOVEMBER 2025
TO ALL JOURNALISTS AND NEWS EDITORS
South Africa World Digital Competitiveness Rankings
South Africa ‘s ranking in the World Digital Competitiveness Rankings has remained static for 2025. This week, the Institute for Management Development (IMD) released the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Rankings (WDCR) for 2025.
The Digital Competitiveness Ranking evaluates the digital competitiveness of 69 countries (global economies) across three key factors:
(i) Knowledge,
(ii) Technology and
(iii) Future Readiness.
This year, South Africa remained unchanged, ranking 58th in both 2025 and 2024. All factors have declined in the recent IMD World Digital Competitiveness Rankings, reflecting global fragmentation affecting the digital competitiveness of firms, entire nations and regions
South Africa declined in the Knowledge Factor which assesses the “know-how necessary” to discover, understand, and build new technologies. South Africa declined in this factor, moving down from 54th in 2024 to 58th in 2025. The knowledge factor has three sub-factors, namely: (i)Talent, (ii)Training &education and (iii)Scientific concentration.
All sub-factors in the knowledge factor have realised a decline however on the plus side South Africa continues to rank high (2nd) in Total expenditure on education. South African female researchers rank high as well at 14. A significant decline is visible in terms of higher education achievement whereby the country is ranked 62nd.
Furthermore, South Africa also performs badly on the Management of cities and digital/ technological skills, ranking in 67th position out of the 69 countries ranked.
The Technology Factor which observes the overall context that enables the development of digital technologies saw South Africa’s ranking in this factor declined to 57th in 2025 from 54th in 2024. The two sub-factors remained unchanged, which are the regulatory framework remaining at 62nd position and Capital remaining at 47th position. The technological framework, sub-factor declined from 55th in 2024 to 58th in 2025. It also recorded weaknesses, as starting a business ranks 62nd and immigration laws rank 66th. Although the Capital sub-factor remained constant, has recorded strengths; IT and Media stock capitalisation rank 7th and investment in telecommunications ranks 6th.
The Future Readiness Factor, which assesses the level of a country’s preparedness to exploit digital rankings, recorded a decline in rankings. South Africa declined to 49th in 2025 (from 50th in 2024). The factor has three sub-factors namely: (i) Adaptive attitude (ii) Business agility and (iii) IT integration. The two sub-factors have recorded an improvement in the 2025 digital rankings, which are Adaptive attitude and IT integration, while Business agility has recorded a decline in the 2025 World Digital Rankings
According to the acting Chief Economist at Productivity SA, Ms Juliet Mashabela, The 2025 edition of the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR), compiled annually by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, found that trade and investment barriers – significant features of geopolitical fragmentation – are having implications on economies’ digital prowess, with repercussions for firms with operations there. Productivity SA is a government entity tasked with the promotion of employment and productivity growth within South Africa. Productivity SA is an information partner for the IMD in South Africa.
Switzerland (first), the US (second), and Singapore (third) are the frontrunners of the 69 nations assessed, primarily due to their infrastructure and talent. This is the ninth year that the WCC has produced its WDCR, tracking the ever-changing conditions of digital governance, economy, and society. It is the first year that Kenya, Namibia, and Oman have been measured.
ENDS
For more information, Contact the Productivity SA media liaison office, Maupi Monyemangene, on 0824473232 or send an e mail: maupim@productivitysa.co.za.
Issued by: Productivity SA
