Author: Nishtha Mehrotra | EQMint
Synopsis
- India ranked 21st among 30 economies in the 2026 Sustainable Trade Index, scoring 44.2 points.
- The United Kingdom topped the rankings, followed by Singapore and New Zealand.
- India ranked 13th in the economic pillar but scored lower in the societal and environmental categories.
- The index measures how economies balance trade competitiveness with social well-being and environmental sustainability.
India ranked 21st among 30 economies in the 2026 Hinrich-IMD Sustainable Trade Index, highlighting the challenges of balancing trade growth with social and environmental priorities.
The index, developed by the Hinrich Foundation and IMD World Competitiveness Center, gave India a score of 44.2. The United Kingdom ranked first, followed by Singapore and New Zealand.
How India performed
The index assesses economies across three pillars: economic, societal and environmental sustainability.
India ranked 13th in the economic pillar, scoring 61.7 points. However, it placed 27th in the societal pillar with 33.6 points and 22nd in the environmental pillar with 59.7 points.
The results indicate that India’s relative performance in economic trade factors is stronger than its standing in the societal category.
Which economies led the rankings?
The United Kingdom secured the top position, followed by Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Australia.
Singapore led the economic pillar, Australia topped the societal pillar, and New Zealand ranked first in environmental sustainability.
What the ranking means for India
The index examines how countries participate in international trade while supporting long-term economic prosperity, social development and environmental protection.
For India, the findings highlight the importance of improving social outcomes and environmental performance alongside economic expansion. Progress across these areas could strengthen the country’s long-term position in global trade.
Source: Visual Capitalist – Ranked: The World’s Most Sustainable Trading Economies in 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and is not investment advice.
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