Pakistan ranks 111th in Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2017

Pakistan has been ranked 111 out of 118 countries in ‘Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2017’ (GTCI).

Launched for the first time in 2013, the GTCI is an annual benchmarking report that measures the ability of countries to compete for talent. The report ranks 118 countries according to their ability to grow, attract and retain talent. The index is intended to help countries overcome talent mismatches and be competitive in the global marketplace.

The theme of this year’s edition of the GTCI is ‘Talent and Technology: Shaping the Future of Work’. The study focused on how technology is affecting talent competitiveness and the nature of work, exploring both significant challenges and opportunities, and important shifts away from traditional working approaches.

Switzerland has topped the list, followed by Singapore, UK and USA. Pakistan is ranked 111, just after the Ethiopia and two positions above Bangladesh. India was ranked 92nd. Region wise, Pakistan is on 7th position. With 188.9 million population and almost $270 million GDP, a majority of the people belong to lower-middle income group.

Pakistan seriously lacks in key indicators such as ICT infrastructure, technology utilization, labor-employer cooperation, technology transfer, brain gain, business opportunities for women, innovation, formal education, virtual social network utilization, ease of finding skilled employees, availability of scientists and engineers and many other areas.

Out of all the categories, Pakistan showed a bit better performance in Global Knowledge Skills with the 81st position. These skills include quality of scientific institutions, researchers, professionals, innovation output, high-quality technology exports, new business density and entrepreneurial activity.

Recommendations

Country must

• Reform education: develop technology and people skills through project-based & experiential learning
• Develop public-private alliances to facilitate apprenticeships/ internships schemes
• Foster labor market flexibility, active employment policies and business-government relations

Companies must

• Invest in constant upskilling of staff and offer work-based training opportunities to young people
• Encourage autonomy and collaboration over authority and hierarchy
• Embrace flexibility and mobility

Employees must

• Skill Up for the digital age
• Embrace a multi-career and commit to life-long learning
• Build cross-border networks and a spirit of collaboration