Switzerland, Singapore and U.S. World's Best in Luring Talent

(Bloomberg) -- Switzerland, Singapore and the U.S. are the top three countries in the world when it comes to fostering and attracting talent, according to an index compiled by INSEAD business school.

In a top 10 heavy with European countries, Switzerland maintained its No. 1 position from last year in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, which looks at the ways nations and cities lure, develop and retain talented people. Singapore came in second again, while the U.S. moved up in the ranks, rising to third place from fourth.

Norway and Sweden rounded out the top five, with 15 of the top 25 countries for talent competitiveness in Europe, according to INSEAD.

The countries at the top of the list have several characteristics in common including well-developed education systems, flexible regulatory and business landscapes, employment policies that merge adaptability and social protection, and internal and external openness, the study found.

Elsewhere in Asia, Australia and New Zealand were the next best performers after Singapore, coming in 11th and 12th respectively, while Japan was at No. 20. China, the world’s second-largest economy, was 43rd. Canada came in at 15th.

In the city stakes, Zurich came in first, followed by Stockholm and Oslo. Europe again came up trumps among cities, providing eight of the top 10. Washington and San Francisco were the only cities from outside the continent.

INSEAD, which has campuses in France, Asia and the Middle East, partnered with human resources company Adecco Group AG and India’s Tata Communications Ltd. on the report, which looked at a total of 119 countries.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eric Lam in Hong Kong at elam87@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Christopher Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.net, Emma O'Brien, Colin Simpson

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.