The Best Countries for Startups in 2025: Who Leads the Global Innovation Race

1. United States

The United States remains the global leader in startup conditions in 2025, confidently outpacing its competitors. However, growth rates are slowing — at just 18.2%, it is the lowest figure among the top 10 countries. The number of American cities in the global top 100 has dropped to 32, marking the lowest level in the past five years. Of the 10 leading US startup cities, six fell in the rankings, and only three showed growth.

2. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has strengthened its position in second place, widening the gap with Israel: the difference increased from 8.6% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025. The UK is among the fastest-growing ecosystems in the top 20. London remains the undisputed leader, scoring 15 times more points than Cambridge, the next most significant city.

3. Israel

Israel has held third place for the fifth consecutive year. Although the country nearly caught up with the UK in 2022, the gap widened again to 13.8% in 2025. The ecosystem's growth rate is 20.6%, one of the lowest among the top 20. Israel remains the highest-rated country with a population between 2 and 10 million. However, city-level positions are weakening: 12 Israeli cities are in the global top 1000, seven of which lost ground.

4. Singapore

Singapore made a historic leap, taking fourth place and overtaking Canada. It is the first country outside the "Big Four" to enter the top 4. Growth rates are impressive at 44.9%, making the ecosystem one of the fastest-developing in the world. Since 2020, Singapore has risen 12 positions. Particularly strong positions are observed in e-commerce & retail, FinTech, blockchain, virtual currency, and financial services sectors.

5. Canada

Canada dropped to fifth place, leaving the global top 4 for the first time in five years. Growth rates were 18.8%, the second-lowest among the top 20 countries. The number of Canadian cities in the global top 1000 decreased to 39. Despite this, Canada remains one of only four countries in the world where at least three cities are in the top 50. No new cities appeared in the ranking in 2025.

6. Sweden

Sweden maintains sixth place and remains the EU leader in startup conditions. It is the second European country after the UK. Growth rates exceed 30%, making it the leader among the three leading EU countries. The number of Swedish cities in the top 1000 grew from 12 to 19, with seven cities entering the ranking for the first time. Stockholm remains the center of the ecosystem.

7. Germany

Germany also holds seventh place. Growth rates, adjusted for population, are 28.4%, higher than the global average. The number of cities in the global top 1000 increased from 45 to 53, expanding the geography and depth of the ecosystem. The main hub is Berlin, although the gap with Munich is gradually narrowing. The leading industry is transportation, where Germany ranks fifth in the world.

8. France

France remains in eighth place in the global ranking and third in the EU after Germany and Sweden. Growth rates exceed 30%, making France one of the most dynamically developing ecosystems in the top 10. Paris is the only French city in the global top 10. The strongest industry is e-commerce and retail, where it ranks sixth in the world.

9. Switzerland

Switzerland rose to ninth place, recovering its position after falling in 2022. Currently, it is the fifth European country, overtaking the Netherlands. With growth exceeding 31%, Switzerland is the fastest-growing among the European top five. The leading industry is HealthTech: third place in the world and second in Europe.

10. Netherlands

The Netherlands dropped to tenth place globally and sixth in Europe, but maintained fourth place in the EU. The number of cities in the top 1000 reached a historical maximum of 24. Amsterdam remains the main center, the country's only city in the global top 30. Four other cities entered the top 200. The strongest industry is e-commerce & retail, where the Netherlands ranks fifth in the world and first in the EU.