Excerpt: The United Kingdom’s trade relationship with India has gained momentum, reaching £42.6 billion over the latest four quarters to Q4 2024. This article unpacks the latest figures on exports, imports, market share, foreign direct investment, and India’s broader economic trajectory, offering context on what these numbers mean for businesses and policymakers.

UK–India Trade Overview

In the four quarters ending Q4 2024, total UK–India trade stood at £42.6 billion, marking an 8.3% uptick (£3.3 billion) compared to the same period a year earlier ^[3]

• Overall trade ranking: 11th among the UK’s global partners.
• Exports: £17.1 billion (+5.8% or £945 million), ranking 12th in export destinations.
• Imports: £25.5 billion (+10.1% or £2.3 billion), ranking 11th among import sources.

Goods vs Services: Export and Import Composition

India has become a vital market for both UK goods and services. Over the latest year:

• Goods exports: £7.0 billion (41.1% of total goods exports), up 15.4% (£938 million).
• Services exports: £10.1 billion (58.9% of total services exports), up marginally by 0.07% (£7 million).
• Goods imports: £10.8 billion (42.3% of total goods imports), up 3.0% (£314 million).
• Services imports: £14.7 billion (57.7% of total services imports), up 15.9% (£2.0 billion).

UK Market Share in India

The UK has expanded its footprint in India’s trade landscape in 2023, with market share rising across all categories ^[4]

UK Market Share in Indian Trade (2023)

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

Investment ties reflect a two-way flow:

• UK outward FDI stock in India: £17.4 billion at end‑2023, down 13.1% (£2.6 billion) from 2022.
• UK inward FDI stock from India: £13.1 billion at end‑2023, up 28.5% (£2.9 billion).

This divergence underscores evolving investment strategies, with UK firms recalibrating their allocation even as Indian investors increase their UK presence ^[5]

India’s Economic Outlook

India’s robust growth trajectory is pivotal for future UK–India trade dynamics. The latest projections for India’s GDP show sustained expansion:

India GDP Growth and Per Capita Projections

India’s global GDP rank is moving up, from 5th place in 2023–2024 to an anticipated 4th by 2025, reflecting the country’s increasing economic heft ^[6]

Implications for UK Businesses

• Diversify supply chains to capitalize on growing services demand in India.
• Monitor FDI trends to leverage inbound and outbound investment opportunities.
• Align with India’s growth sectors—notably technology and consumer services—to sustain export momentum.

Complete data sets underpinning these analyses are available from the respective statistical agencies.

Excerpt:Switzerland claims the top spot in the 2024 “Best Countries” ranking by public perception, while global economic giants and rising regional players vie for influence in a list shaped by both hard metrics and subjective sentiment.

Switzerland Reigns Supreme

In the U.S. News & World Report Best Countries survey for 2024, where over 17,000 respondents evaluated 87 nations across 73 attributes, Switzerland emerged as the clear favorite. Survey participants praised its robust business environment (#2), exceptional quality of life (#3), commitment to social purpose (#7), and strong cultural influence (#8). Economically, Switzerland ranks third in GDP per capita (US $105,000) and fourth in GNI per capita (US $95,070), underlining why it resonates so strongly on the world stage ^[7]

Economic Titans and Entrepreneurial Leaders

Despite not topping the list, Japan and the United States secured the second and third places, respectively, buoyed by their sizeable GDPs, innovation ecosystems, and globally recognized brands. Both nations feature in the top five for entrepreneurship, with the U.S. leading in agility and power. High investor confidence and large currency reserves help offset concerns over cost of living and income inequality, demonstrating that sheer economic heft still shapes public perceptions in the survey ^[8]

Regional Shifts: Rising Powers in the Middle East and Asia

The Middle East and Asia have made notable gains, reflecting targeted investments in tourism, renewable energy, and cultural initiatives. The United Arab Emirates (17th), Qatar (25th), and Saudi Arabia (32nd) are redefining their global images beyond hydrocarbons. In Asia, South Korea (18th), Singapore (14th), and China (16th) leverage technological advances and manufacturing prowess to climb the ranks, signaling a more multipolar perception of excellence.

Global Continent Representation

How are the top 40 distributed by region? Below is a bar chart illustrating the count of best-ranked countries by continent.

The above bar chart illustrates the global continent representation among the top 40 best-ranked countries in the world. Europe leads with 17 countries, making it the most represented continent. Asia follows with 11 countries, while the Americas account for 8. Oceania and Africa each have 2 countries on the list. The chart highlights Europe’s strong global presence and shows a relatively balanced contribution from other continents, reflecting global diversity in top-performing nations.

Complete Top 40 List

The following table presents the complete dataset of the top 40 countries, as determined by the survey respondents. Rankings reflect public perception and must be understood alongside objective thresholds for GDP, tourism, and foreign direct investment inclusion ^[9]

Top 40 Best Countries in 2024

Perception Breakdown by Region

The above donut chart illustrates the continent share of the top 40 best countries in the world. Europe leads with 42.5%, followed by Asia at 27.5% and the Americas at 20%. Oceania and Africa each contribute 5%. The data highlights Europe’s dominance in global rankings, with Asia also playing a significant role. The chart visually represents how the top 40 countries are distributed across continents, emphasizing regional strengths in global development, governance, and quality of life.

How the Rankings Are Calculated

Respondents rate each country on 73 attributes grouped into 10 categories (e.g., quality of life, power, entrepreneurship). Scores for each attribute are normalized to a 0–100 scale and averaged within categories. Participants also rank category importance, which determines weighting in the final score. Only countries meeting GDP, tourism, and FDI thresholds were eligible for inclusion.

Conclusion

While Switzerland’s blend of economic strength, social well‑being, and cultural vibrancy earned it the top spot, the prominence of traditional powerhouses and emerging players underscores a dynamic global landscape. As public perceptions evolve, so too will the notion of what makes a country truly “the best.”

Excerpt: Europe is facing a staggering infrastructure investment gap that could reach $2 trillion by 2040. This blog breaks down which sectors—from roads and rail to telecommunications—require the most urgent financial attention to ensure economic resilience and future growth.

Europe’s $2 Trillion Infrastructure Deficit: A Sectoral Breakdown

As Europe modernizes its economy and pushes toward climate and digital goals, its infrastructure is falling behind. According to data from Infrastructure Outlook, the continent is expected to face a $2 trillion infrastructure investment shortfall by 2040—a dramatic rise from $538 billion in 2024.

However, the shortfall is not equally distributed across sectors. Some areas are far more underfunded than others, particularly those tied to transportation and energy. Let’s look at which sectors are most in need of urgent investment.

Investment Gap by Sector: Europe

Top Priorities: Roads, Rail, and Energy

Transportation infrastructure dominates the list. Roads alone account for a $881 billion shortfall, followed by rail with a $603 billion deficit. These sectors are essential not only for regional connectivity but also for reducing emissions through better public transport networks and modernized logistics systems.

Coming in third is the energy sector, which requires an estimated $250 billion in additional funding. This investment is vital for supporting the EU’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through renewable energy sources, smart grids, and storage technologies.

Telecom and Digital Gaps

Telecommunications, often overlooked, face a $46 billion shortfall. In the post-pandemic era, digital infrastructure has become a core driver of economic competitiveness and innovation. Expanding broadband, 5G, and data infrastructure will be key for supporting both private industry and public services across Europe.

Global Context: Infrastructure Deficits Worldwide

Europe’s infrastructure challenges mirror broader global trends. Worldwide, roads are also the sector with the largest funding gap. Here’s how global investment needs break down by 2040:

Globally, the infrastructure investment gap is expected to reach $15 trillion by 2040. The consistent need across transportation, energy, and digital sectors reflects shared global priorities for sustainable development and economic modernization.

Building for Europe’s Future

To avoid long-term economic strain and ensure resilience, European policymakers and investors must channel resources into the most underfunded sectors. Roads, railways, and energy should be at the top of the agenda, followed closely by telecom and water infrastructure. Strategic investment now can prevent far greater costs later—and help Europe maintain global competitiveness in the decades ahead.