With the release of the 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (GMCI), Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte Global) and the Council on Competitiveness (the Council) in the US build upon the GMCI research, with prior studies published in 2010 and 2013. The results of the 2016 study clearly show the ongoing influence manufacturing has on driving global economies. From its influence on infrastructure development, job creation, and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) on both an overall and per capita basis, a strong manufacturing sector creates a clear path toward economic prosperity.

Executive summary

Manufacturing related activities among global nations are rapidly evolving. Manufacturing earnings and exports are stimulating economic prosperity causing nations to increase their focus on developing advanced manufacturing capabilities by investing in high-tech infrastructure and education. Nations and companies are striving to advance to the next technology frontier and raise their economic well-being. And as the digital and physical worlds of manufacturing converge, advanced technologies have become even more essential to company- and country-level-competitiveness. In fact, technology-intensive sectors dominate the global manufacturing landscape in most advanced economies and appear to offer a strong path to achieve or sustain manufacturing competitiveness.

In the 2016 GMCI, CEO survey respondents were asked to rank nations in terms of current and future manufacturing competitiveness. Top performing nations have each demonstrated strengths across multiple drivers of manufacturing excellence. They also clearly illustrate the close tie that exists between manufacturing competitiveness and innovation. The 2016 study takes a closer look at six focus nations: United States, China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, and India. Collectively, these countries account for 60 percent of world's manufacturing GDP, demonstrating the influence these nations have on global manufacturing trends.

Report highlights

China and the United States jockey for top honors while Germany holds firm

  • China is the most competitive manufacturing nation...for now: Consistent with the previous 2010 and 2013 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index studies, China is again ranked as the most competitive manufacturing nation in 2016, but is expected to slip to second position as global executives provide their perspective on how the next five years will play out.
  • The United States is expected to take over the number one position from China by the end of the decade while Germany holds firm at number three: The US continues to improve its ranking from 4th in 2010 to 3rd in 2013 to 2nd in this year's study. Moreover, executives expect the US to assume the top position before the end of the decade while Germany holds strong and steady at the number three position now through the end of the decade.

Shifting dynamics among global manufacturing nations

  • CEOs say advanced manufacturing technologies a key to unlocking future competitiveness: As the digital and physical worlds converge within manufacturing, executives indicate the path to manufacturing competitiveness is through advanced technologies.
  • Shift to higher value, advanced manufacturing tilts the advantage to developed nations in the future: As the manufacturing industry increasingly applies more advanced and sophisticated product and process technologies and materials, traditional manufacturing powerhouses of the 20th century (i.e. the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom) are back toward the very top of the 10 most competitive nations in 2016.
  • Two regional clusters of strength emerge: Out of the top 10 manufacturing competitive nations, two regions, North America and Asia Pacific dominate the competitive landscape. All three North American countries in the top 10 today and are expected to remain in the top 10 ranking five years from now. As many as five Asia Pacific nations (China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India) are expected to factor in the top 10 by 2020, leaving only two spots remaining for Germany and the United Kingdom to represent Europe in the top 10.
  • BRIC breaks down: Of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), only China is viewed by executives as a top manufacturing nation in 2016. The other three BRIC nations have experienced a decline in their rankings over the last few years.
  • The rise of the "Mighty Five": The five Asia-Pacific nations of Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam (MITI-V or the "Mighty Five") are expected to be included into the top 15 nations on manufacturing competitiveness over the next five years.

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