Elite Quality Report 2025: The Sustainable Value Creation of Nations
ISSN
9781839996429
Type
book
Date Issued
2025-05-15
Editor(s)
Abstract
This report presents the sixth edition of the Elite Quality Index (EQx2025). Singapore retains its position at #1, followed by the United States at #2—an impressive climb of 14 places, largely driven by value creation linked to artificial intelligence (AI). Switzerland ranks third. The Index is based on a comprehensive dataset, analysing 151 countries using 149 indicators. It evaluates conceptual dimensions such as Power, Political Value, and Creative Destruction to assess the extent to which elite business models create or extract value. Its four-level architecture includes: the EQx Index; two Sub-Indices (Power and Value) and four Index Areas; 12 Pillars, and; 149 Indicators.
Elites are defined as the elite business models. That is, those models that generate the highest incomes in a political economy. They mobilise human, financial, and knowledge capital to provide the coordination capacity required to unlock an economy’s full development potential. Elite business models include large corporations, banks, as well as labour unions or civil servants. Elite agency is understood as the microfoundation of institutional change, shaping institutions in both inclusive and extractive directions.
Below are the EQx2025 rankings (and their trend compared to last year):
Singapore (0); 2. United States (+14); 3. Switzerland (−1); 4. Japan (0); 5. Korea, Rep. (+1); 6. Qatar (+12); 7. New Zealand (−2); 8. Germany (0); 9. Netherlands (−6); 10. United Kingdom (+1); 11. Australia (+2); 12. Sweden (−3); 13. Canada (−1); 14. Israel (−7); 15. Denmark (−5); 16. Norway (+1); 17. Austria (−2); 18. Finland (−4); 19. China (+2); 20. United Arab Emirates (+12)
High-quality elite systems are characterised by sustainable business models focused on Value Creation, meaning they generate more value for society than they capture. In contrast, low-quality elites engage in Value Extraction models that rely on rent-seeking and value transfers, increasing both political and economic risk. Each country’s EQx score results from the normalisation, weighting, and aggregation of 149 indicators—each placed on the value creation–extraction spectrum. For example, inflation or protectionism signals value extraction, whereas trade liberalisation or AI innovation signals value creation. The EQx thus offers a comparative view of countries’ capacity for sustainable value creation.
The EQx project is an open research platform led by the University of St. Gallen, in collaboration with international academic partners and the Foundation for Value Creation (in St. Gallen). It aims to provide novel insights not only into the current condition and stability of nations, but also their future growth potential.
The project’s mission is to offer comparative, global insights into how elite systems influence societies—serving researchers, students, journalists, policymakers, and the public alike.
Elites are defined as the elite business models. That is, those models that generate the highest incomes in a political economy. They mobilise human, financial, and knowledge capital to provide the coordination capacity required to unlock an economy’s full development potential. Elite business models include large corporations, banks, as well as labour unions or civil servants. Elite agency is understood as the microfoundation of institutional change, shaping institutions in both inclusive and extractive directions.
Below are the EQx2025 rankings (and their trend compared to last year):
Singapore (0); 2. United States (+14); 3. Switzerland (−1); 4. Japan (0); 5. Korea, Rep. (+1); 6. Qatar (+12); 7. New Zealand (−2); 8. Germany (0); 9. Netherlands (−6); 10. United Kingdom (+1); 11. Australia (+2); 12. Sweden (−3); 13. Canada (−1); 14. Israel (−7); 15. Denmark (−5); 16. Norway (+1); 17. Austria (−2); 18. Finland (−4); 19. China (+2); 20. United Arab Emirates (+12)
High-quality elite systems are characterised by sustainable business models focused on Value Creation, meaning they generate more value for society than they capture. In contrast, low-quality elites engage in Value Extraction models that rely on rent-seeking and value transfers, increasing both political and economic risk. Each country’s EQx score results from the normalisation, weighting, and aggregation of 149 indicators—each placed on the value creation–extraction spectrum. For example, inflation or protectionism signals value extraction, whereas trade liberalisation or AI innovation signals value creation. The EQx thus offers a comparative view of countries’ capacity for sustainable value creation.
The EQx project is an open research platform led by the University of St. Gallen, in collaboration with international academic partners and the Foundation for Value Creation (in St. Gallen). It aims to provide novel insights not only into the current condition and stability of nations, but also their future growth potential.
The project’s mission is to offer comparative, global insights into how elite systems influence societies—serving researchers, students, journalists, policymakers, and the public alike.
Book title
Elite Quality Report 2025: The Sustainable Value Creation of Nations (151 COUNTRY SCORES AND GLOBAL RANKINGS)
Publisher
Anthem Press, London
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Elite Quality Report EQx2025.pdf
Size
8.85 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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