What Stands Out in the 2025 Issue
The 2025 issue highlights which countries are most competitive for making chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, metals, and other key raw materials — and why.
It shows which countries lead, which are becoming more promising places for manufacturing, and what costs or strengths explain the difference.
China leads again
China ranks #1 of 33 for the eleventh straight year — the only country that leads on market size, industrial output and logistics all at once.
U.S. falls to #9
Down from #8, the United States posted its weakest finish in the report’s eleven years, as manufacturing labor rose 4% to $50.8 an hour.
South Korea enters the top 10
South Korea climbed four places to #8, the biggest riser in Asia-Pacific.
Cost gaps remain wide
Across the 33 countries, labor costs vary 36-fold, energy and plant costs about threefold, and employer payroll charges 45-fold.
A profile for every one of the 33 countries.
A Public Summary of a Broader Country Analysis
The Industry Economics & Competitiveness 2025 Annual Review is a free public summary based on Intratec’s broader country competitiveness analysis.
Each issue turns detailed country data into clear rankings, country highlights, and ready-to-use facts that can support articles, reports, newsletters, and institutional communications.
- Ranks 33 countries as places to make key raw materials
- Shows which countries are becoming more promising for manufacturing
- Explains why leading countries stay ahead
- Points out what makes some countries less competitive
See the Highlights for Your Country
Pick a country to see its rank, what changed, and the main facts behind its position in the latest issue.
United States
Country press release · 2025 IssueMedia & Citation Inquiries
The Industry Economics & Competitiveness Annual Review is designed to make country rankings and competitiveness findings easier to cite, share, and reference in professional and institutional content.
For attribution details, data clarification, press release use, or other inquiries about the report, contact Intratec using the form below.
Contact UsGo Deeper with an Industry Economics & Competitiveness Subscription
The Industry Economics & Competitiveness Annual Review gives journalists and readers a clear public view of the latest country rankings and highlights. For a more in-depth analysis — including monthly country reports, detailed cost breakdowns, underlying datasets, and forecasts — explore Intratec’s full Industry Economics & Competitiveness subscription.
Countries, Tracked Monthly
A detailed competitiveness report for each of the 33 countries covered, updated every month.
Industrial Sectors
Country analysis across major raw-material industries, including chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, and metals.
Competitiveness Factors
Deeper analysis of the costs and strengths behind each country’s position, including labor, energy, taxes, logistics, market size, and plant costs.