Singapore ranks 4th in global startup ecosystem index 2025

The city-state recorded a 44.9% growth rate.

Singapore has climbed to fourth place globally in the 2025 Startup Ecosystem Report, overtaking Canada and becoming the first country outside the US, UK, Israel, and Canada to enter the top four.

The city-state recorded a 44.9% growth rate, one of the highest among the global top 20, compared to the 28.5% average.

Since 2020, it has risen 12 places, doubling China’s score to secure its position as Asia’s top startup hub.

Singapore also ranks second worldwide in ecommerce & retail and fintech, leads in financial services, and holds second place in blockchain and virtual currency.

At the city level, Singapore City rose four spots to 12th globally, recording the largest growth in the global top 40 at over 50%.

It is now sixth amongst cities with 2–10 million residents and ranks in the top 10 globally for fintech, ecommerce & retail, and edtech.

Singapore’s rise is driven by a stable economy, pro-business policies, strong regulation, and a global-first mindset due to its small domestic market. Unicorns like Grab, deep-tech investment, and the presence of OpenAI’s Asia-Pacific hub reflect its growing global influence.

Government initiatives such as Startup SG, Enterprise Singapore’s accelerator programmes, and the Economic Development Board’s Global Founder Programme support funding, talent attraction, and international market access. Universities, including NUS, contribute talent pipelines and incubation programmes.

Challenges remain, including high real estate costs and cultural risk aversion, but schemes like EntrePass and Tech Pass aim to attract skilled entrepreneurs.

Major events such as SWITCH, Echelon Asia Summit, and GITEX Asia continue to position Singapore as a leading global innovation hub.

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