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Germany is the world’s leading manufacturer according to UNIDO’s CIP Index

17 July 2023

Germany is the world’s leading manufacturer according to UNIDO’s Competitive Industrial Performance Index banner

VIENNA - UNIDO has released the latest update to its Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) Index, which evaluates 153 countries’ capacity to produce and export manufactured goods, their technological progress, and their global influence on manufacturing activity.

According to the 2023 update, Germany continues to hold the top position as the country with the world’s most competitive manufacturing sector. Germany has maintained this position since 2001. However, China, currently ranked second, has shown impressive growth and dynamism since 1990, gradually closing the gap between the two countries.

The gap between the world’s two leading manufacturers continues to narrow
The gap between the world’s two leading manufacturers continues to narrow. Source: UNIDO CIP database.

The other top five countries in the CIP Index 2023 are Ireland, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. The latest data show that there have been no changes in the top five rankings compared to last year’s results. Among the top ten manufacturers, Taiwan, Province of China, climbed two spots to secure the sixth position, changing places with Japan, now ranked eighth.

The CIP Index not only assesses countries’ current industrial performance but also provides insights into their long-term developments and improvements. For instance, Armenia has significantly improved its ranking, jumping from the 116th position in 2012 to the 93rd position in the current ranking. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates has climbed from 48th to 29th position over the same period.

Selected countries that witnessed significant improvements in their CIP ranking over the last decade
Countries that witnessed significant improvements in CIP ranking over the last decade.

UNIDO’s CIP Index allows countries to benchmark their industrial development and to evaluate the long-term impact of their supporting policies and external trends. It provides insights on what other countries are doing to enhance their manufacturing capacity and technological advancements to strengthen their competitive edge in the global market.

To explore the results of the CIP Index 2023 for all countries, visit the CIP website. The complete database can be downloaded from the UNIDO data portal. For additional information, please contact UNIDO Statistics.