Ranked: The World’s Most Sustainable Economies in 2026
This infographic from the Hinrich Foundation introduces the 2026 edition of the Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index (STI). Developed with the IMD World Competitiveness Center, the annual index ranks 30 select global economies on their ability to balance international trade with long-term economic, societal, and environmental priorities.
The STI is designed to stimulate meaningful discussion about the connections between global trade, sustainability, and resilience. It also serves as a practical tool for governments, policymakers, businesses, and researchers.
The UK Leads the 2026 Sustainable Trade Index
The overall STI ranks each economy across three core pillars of sustainability: economic, societal, and environmental. The index uses 72 indicators to measure performance across these pillars.
The United Kingdom ranks first overall in 2026, rising one position from 2024 and earning a score of 100. Singapore climbs two places to second, followed by New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Australia.
| Rank | Country | Overal STI (score) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United Kingdom | 100.0 |
| 2 |  Singapore | 97.7 |
| 3 |  New Zealand | 95.1 |
| 4 |  Hong Kong | 92.8 |
| 5 |  Australia | 89.0 |
| 6 |  Taiwan | 85.8 |
| 7 |  South Korea | 84.3 |
| 8 |  Japan | 84.0 |
| 9 |  Canada | 78.0 |
| 10 |  United States | 69.4 |
| 11 |  Malaysia | 66.8 |
| 12 |  Chile | 64.6 |
| 13 |  Thailand | 61.6 |
| 14 |  Vietnam | 61.5 |
| 15 |  Cambodia | 58.4 |
| 16 |  Philippines | 58.0 |
| 17 |  Indonesia | 57.7 |
| 18 |  Mexico | 53.6 |
| 19 |  China | 51.4 |
| 20 |  Peru | 47.9 |
| 21 |  India | 44.2 |
| 22 |  Sri Lanka | 43.1 |
| 23 |  Ecuador | 34.4 |
| 24 |  Laos | 25.7 |
| 25 |  Bangladesh | 22.2 |
| 26 |  Pakistan | 16.7 |
| 27 |  Brunei | 13.7 |
| 28 |  Myanmar | 6.3 |
| 29 |  Russia | 4.7 |
| 30 |  Papua New Guinea | 0.0 |
Several economies made notable gains. Malaysia rose four positions to 11th, while Cambodia climbed four places to 15th. Sri Lanka also advanced four spots to 22nd. Meanwhile, Japan fell three positions to eighth and China dropped three places to 19th.
The Three Pillars of Sustainable Trade—Economic, Societal, Environmental
The economic pillar measures an economy’s ability to foster growth through international trade. It incorporates factors such as export market concentration and government debt-to-GDP.
| Economic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Singapore | 100.0 |
| 2 | United States | 86.0 |
| 3 | Hong Kong | 83.0 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 82.3 |
| 5 | South Korea | 80.5 |
| 6 | Taiwan | 80.2 |
| 7 | China | 78.4 |
| 8 | Malaysia | 71.8 |
| 9 | Australia | 71.0 |
| 10 | New Zealand | 69.3 |
| 11 | Canada | 69.2 |
| 12 | Japan | 67.1 |
| 13 | India | 61.7 |
| 14 | Thailand | 60.0 |
| 15 | Vietnam | 58.9 |
| 16 | Chile | 56.5 |
| 17 | Cambodia | 53.5 |
| 18 | Peru | 52.0 |
| 19 | Indonesia | 50.3 |
| 20 | Philippines | 49.9 |
| 21 | Mexico | 37.3 |
| 22 | Brunei | 35.4 |
| 23 | Ecuador | 29.3 |
| 24 | Sri Lanka | 22.6 |
| 25 | Bangladesh | 15.8 |
| 26 | Russia | 15.5 |
| 27 | Pakistan | 9.1 |
| 28 | Papua New Guinea | 8.2 |
| 29 | Laos | 7.9 |
| 30 | Myanmar | 0.0 |
Singapore ranks first, while the United States climbed from fourth in 2024 to second in 2026. However, tariff policies and their broader economic impacts weighed down U.S. performance.
The societal pillar assesses human capital development through measures including tertiary education and life expectancy. Australia leads this pillar, narrowly ahead of Canada, while Peru and Mexico have both demonstrated multi-year improvements.
| Societal | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Australia | 100.0 |
| 2 | Canada | 99.9 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 97.3 |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 95.3 |
| 5 | Taiwan | 93.7 |
| 6 | South Korea | 90.7 |
| 7 | Japan | 87.2 |
| 8 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
| 9 | Singapore | 84.0 |
| 10 | Chile | 76.8 |
| 11 | United States | 75.3 |
| 12 | Thailand | 60.5 |
| 13 | Malaysia | 55.8 |
| 14 | Brunei | 52.6 |
| 15 | Peru | 50.2 |
| 16 | Ecuador | 50.1 |
| 17 | Sri Lanka | 49.8 |
| 18 | Mexico | 49.1 |
| 19 | Philippines | 49.0 |
| 20 | Indonesia | 48.3 |
| 21 | Vietnam | 47.4 |
| 22 | Russia | 44.8 |
| 23 | China | 40.7 |
| 24 | Laos | 40.4 |
| 25 | Bangladesh | 34.6 |
| 26 | Cambodia | 34.1 |
| 27 | India | 33.6 |
| 28 | Pakistan | 26.5 |
| 29 | Papua New Guinea | 12.2 |
| 30 | Myanmar | 0.0 |
Finally, the environmental pillar evaluates how economies manage natural resources and mitigate their environmental impact, including renewable energy use and CO₂ emissions per capita.
| Environmental | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | New Zealand | 100.0 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 99.7 |
| 3 | Cambodia | 98.4 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 93.0 |
| 5 | Mexico | 89.2 |
| 6 | Singapore | 88.3 |
| 7 | Japan | 87.9 |
| 8 | Vietnam | 86.6 |
| 9 | Philippines | 86.4 |
| 10 | Indonesia | 85.9 |
| 11 | Australia | 82.3 |
| 12 | Sri Lanka | 80.2 |
| 13 | Malaysia | 76.9 |
| 14 | Thailand | 72.7 |
| 15 | Taiwan | 72.3 |
| 16 | Myanmar | 71.8 |
| 17 | South Korea | 71.7 |
| 18 | Chile | 66.5 |
| 19 | Laos | 66.2 |
| 20 | Peru | 60.9 |
| 21 | Canada | 59.9 |
| 22 | India | 59.7 |
| 23 | Pakistan | 59.1 |
| 24 | Bangladesh | 56.4 |
| 25 | Ecuador | 54.2 |
| 26 | China | 51.7 |
| 27 | United States | 49.0 |
| 28 | Papua New Guinea | 37.7 |
| 29 | Russia | 8.1 |
| 30 | Brunei | 0.0 |
New Zealand ranks first, while several Asian economies recorded substantial gains. Cambodia jumped from 17th in 2025 to third in 2026, Hong Kong rose from eighth to fourth, and Vietnam climbed from 13th to eighth.
Explore the Full Sustainable Trade Index
The Sustainable Trade Index provides a unique view of how select economies are navigating increasingly complex economic, societal, and environmental priorities alongside global trade.
This infographic offers just a preview of the insights available in the Sustainable Trade Index. To dive deeper, visit Hinrich Foundation, where you can explore additional resources and download the full 2026 report for free.
Visit Hinrich Foundation to download the entire report, for free.
You may also like
-
Economy3 months agoThe Leading Producers of Space Race Materials
Which countries supply the materials behind the space race? Explore the global leaders in rare earths, gallium, graphite, titanium, and more.
-
Economy4 months agoMapped: The World’s Space Launch Sites (2016-2026)
The U.S. leads the world in space launch activity, but China is rapidly closing the gap. See the sites behind the orbital launches since 2016.
-
Economy4 months agoCharted: Annual Space Launches by Superpowers (1957–2025)
From the Cold War to today’s “third space age,” launch data shows the U.S. still leading, while China is rapidly and consistently accelerating its space ambitions.
-
Economy5 months agoRanked: Top 12 Countries with Digital Trade Agreements
As digital trade expands, governments are moving quickly to set the rules that govern how it operates.
-
Economy7 months agoRanked: The Fastest-Growing Major Economies in 2025 & 2026
As the global economy adjusts elevated levels of geopolitical uncertainty, growth is becoming increasingly uneven, with India leading the charge.
-
Environment8 months agoWhich Economies Have the Largest Ecological Footprints?
The Ecological Footprint reveals how consumption strains the planet. Which countries leave the biggest mark?
-
Economy9 months agoHow Balanced Is Economic Growth Within Countries?
Levels of economic development differ not only from one country to another, but also dramatically within their own borders. Which countries lead versus lag?
-
Markets11 months agoRanked: Number of Trade Agreements Across 30 Economies
Based on data from the World Trade Organization, which countries have the highest and lowest number of trade agreements?
-
Markets12 months agoRanked: The World’s Most Sustainable Economies in 2025
Based on the Hinrich Foundation’s 2025 Sustainable Trade Index, which economies are the most and least sustainable?
-
Economy1 year agoRanked: Countries Losing the Most (and Least) from Trump’s Tariffs
Trump’s tariffs affect all major U.S. trading partners, but what matters is how each country’s tariffs compare to its competitors.
-
Economy1 year agoCharting How U.S. Tariffs Will Hit Key Products
U.S. tariffs have climbed to an average rate of 18.6%—the highest since 1933. But what does this mean for everyday consumers?
-
Economy1 year agoBreaking Down the $450 Billion of Trade Destruction from U.S. Tariffs
The UN has crunched the numbers projecting the ripple effects of Trump’s May 12th tariffs. Which economies are bracing for the biggest hits?
-
Economy1 year agoRanked: America’s Services Trade Balances
America’s goods trade deficits have dominated headlines, but a critical part of the equation is being ignored: services trade.
-
AI2 years agoVisualized: All of the World’s Data
More data will be created, captured, and replicated in the next three years than in the rest of human history. But by how much?
-
Economy2 years agoVisualized: The Growing Opportunities in Global Trade Careers
Visual Capitalist has partnered with the Hinrich Foundation to explore the landscape of global trade and find out what students and trade professionals can do to…
-
Green2 years agoRanked: CO₂ Emissions Per Person in 30 Economies
CO₂ emissions are reshaping the flows of international trade. Which countries have the highest and lowest CO₂ emissions per capita?
-
Healthcare2 years agoMapped: Life Expectancy in Major Economies
Which countries have the highest and lowest life expectancies at birth?
-
Markets2 years agoRanked: Government Debt Across Major Economies
Based on data from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, which countries have the highest and lowest government debt ratios?
-
Markets2 years agoRanked: The World’s Most Sustainable Economies in 2024
Based on the Hinrich Foundation’s 2024 Sustainable Trade Index, which economies are the most and least sustainable?
-
Oil and Gas2 years agoHow Oil Is Adding Fuel to Geopolitical Fragmentation
Which countries and regions decreased, banned, or increased Russian oil imports following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine?
-
Politics2 years agoThe Start of De-Dollarization: China’s Gradual Move Away from the USD
The de-dollarization of China’s trade settlements has begun. What patterns do we see in USD and RMB use within China and globally?
-
Politics2 years agoThe Bloc Effect: International Trade with Geopolitical Allies on the Rise
Rising geopolitical tensions are shaping the future of international trade, but what is the effect on trading among G7 and BRICS countries?
-
Green3 years agoRanked: Resource Dependency Across 30 Major Economies
High resource dependency in trade makes countries more susceptible to market fluctuations and climate change.
-
Misc3 years agoVisualizing the Global Education Gap
This graphic adds visual context to the global education gap, using data from 29 major economies.
-
Money3 years agoRanking the Credit Ratings of Major Economies
This graphic visualizes 30 country’s credit ratings, using data from the 2023 Sustainable Trade Index.
-
Economy3 years agoRanked: The World’s Most Sustainable Economies in 2023
The Sustainable Trade Index 2023 is an annual ranking of the world’s most sustainable economies. View this infographic to see the results.
-
Economy3 years agoVisualizing the Impact of the G20’s Corporate Subsidies
The Hinrich Foundation visualizes the impact of corporate subsidies by G20 nations between 2008 and Q1 2023.
-
Economy3 years agoEconomic Coercion: China’s Leverage in Trade
The Hinrich Foundation explores China’s use of economic coercion and the implications of its control over the solar energy sector.
-
Politics3 years agoRanking the Trade Policies of the G20
We analyze recent trade policies implemented by G20 members to determine whether they are liberalizing or harmful.
-
Green3 years agoGlobal Carbon Markets: Highlights from the Latest Report
We highlight key findings from the Hinrich Foundation’s latest report on carbon markets, produced in partnership with Visual Capitalist.
-
Green4 years agoRanked: Air Pollution by Economy
Which economies have hazy air, and which ones enjoy mostly clear skies? Find out in this geographic breakdown of air pollution levels.
-
Politics4 years agoMapped: Geopolitical Risk by Economy
Prior to invading Ukraine, Russia had one of the highest levels of geopolitical risk. How does geopolitical uncertainty vary around the world?
-
Economy4 years agoRanked: Harmful Tariffs by Economy
The U.S. has by far the most harmful tariffs, with nearly 5,000 in force. Which economy has the least tariffs?
-
Business4 years agoInterested in a Career in Global Trade?
Global trade is growing across regions and countries which is creating an explosion in new jobs and education opportunities.
-
Economy4 years agoIntroducing the 2022 Sustainable Trade Index
See which economies have the most sustainable trade policies in the Hinrich Foundation’s 2022 Sustainable Trade Index.
-
Economy4 years agoGlobal Trade Series: Fragmentation in the Digital Economy
In this infographic, we examine the current state of digital fragmentation and it’s implications on the world.
-
Economy4 years agoGlobal Trade Series: Asia’s Digital Economy
Asia’s digital economy is expanding quicker than ever, but cooperation between governments is needed to reduce barriers.
-
Economy4 years agoGlobal Trade Series: The Benefits of Free Trade
Free trade is a powerful engine for economic growth, but rising protectionism stands in the way. See what the data says in this infographic.