The path to global competitiveness for Europe and the Middle East
Strategic imperatives for business and governments to support growth, resilience and prosperity
- How is your business positioned to take advantage of emerging government policies to increase global competitiveness?
- What are your ideas for growth, making the most of new technology, regulation, investment and access to markets?
- Is your business moving fast enough on technologies that will define your future competitiveness?
- How is your business building resilience – not just efficiency – into its core operations?
- How is your business thinking about risk and governance, given the scale of the opportunity ahead and the complex competitive landscape?
- What critical skills are emerging, and how are we investing in upskilling our workforce and attracting new talent to meet future demands?
- What are the potential impacts of energy transition, or other resource constraints on operations and supply chains in specific areas?
In today’s increasingly complex and interconnected world, businesses and governments across Europe and the Middle East face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. While Europe continues to face structural barriers to growth and a widening productivity gap, the Middle East is accelerating its economic diversification through investment and innovation programmes. Despite their difference, both regions share a critical imperative in the need to ensure sustained and resilient growth and prosperity.
Deloitte's perspective, "The path to global competitiveness for Europe and the Middle East," explores important factors influencing the economic outlook of these regions. Published in January 2026, this analysis offers a forward-looking perspective on the strategic priorities shaping the economic future of these regions.
The perspective includes:
- Europe's growth challenges: An analysis of the structural challenges such as the pace of innovation, energy prices, critical material sourcing, and access to scale financing.
- Middle East's transformation: An overview of diversification efforts alongside the challenges of economic dependence, geopolitical tensions, intra-regional competition, and talent acquisition.
For business leaders and policymakers operating in Europe and the Middle East, this perspective aims to:
- Provide a clearer understanding of the macro-economic forces and geopolitical shifts that impact your operations and future growth prospects across these regions.
- Identify opportunities to innovate, build resilience, and adapt your business models to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
- Support informed decision-making regarding growth strategies, technology adoption, and risk management.
