Sri Lanka has risen one spot to rank 97th globally in the Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2025, scoring 33.6 out of 100, according to the latest report from Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy.
The country’s progress reflects improvements in lifestyle appeal, sustainability, and inclusivity, enhancing its global influence.
Cultural Strength and International Recognition
Sri Lanka secured 79th place in the Culture & Heritage pillar, maintaining a strong presence despite a slight dip from 2024. Notable rankings include:
- 55th for ‘rich heritage’, reinforcing its cultural legacy.
- 120th for ‘an appealing lifestyle’, a 15-place jump from 135th.
- 76th for ‘a great place to visit’, dropping two places.
- 60th for ‘leaders in sports’, reflecting its continued global sporting reputation.
Progress in Inclusivity and Values
In the People & Values pillar, Sri Lanka saw notable advancements:
- Ranked 93rd for ‘fun’, up three places.
- 78th for ‘tolerant and inclusive’, making a significant leap of 33 places from 111th, highlighting global recognition of its efforts in inclusivity.
Sustainability and Environmental Commitments
Sri Lanka retained its rank of 109th in the Sustainability pillar, showing progress in key areas:
- 103rd in green energy investment, up 14 places.
- 87th in environmental protection, improving by 17 places.
- 109th in global climate action, climbing 18 places.
Ruchi Gunewardene, Chairman of Brand Finance Sri Lanka, emphasized Sri Lanka’s growing global influence in arts, entertainment, inclusivity, and sustainability, crediting the nation’s resilience and commitment to progress.
Global Rankings: U.S. Leads, China Overtakes the UK
- The United States retained the top spot with a record score of 79.5, leading in Familiarity and Influence KPIs.
- China rose to 2nd place, surpassing the UK, with a score of 72.8, driven by its Belt and Road projects, sustainability efforts, and growing domestic brands.
- The United Kingdom dropped to 3rd place, facing stagnation in Business & Trade and Governance.
- El Salvador was the fastest-rising nation, jumping 35 places to 82nd, due to improved security and business reputation.
The Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index is based on responses from over 170,000 participants in 100+ countries, assessing 193 UN member states on 55 metrics. The rankings offer insights into how nations influence global preferences and behaviors through attraction rather than coercion.
