Sri Lanka has been ranked 79th out of 193 countries in 2026 for ease of doing business, reflecting growing confidence in its regulatory environment and signaling a positive shift in business sentiment.
In the Global Soft Power Index (GSPI) 2026 by Brand Finance, Sri Lanka was placed 100th worldwide with a score of 33.8/100, down three positions from 97th in 2025. Brand Finance defines soft power as a nation’s ability to influence global actors through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion, using 55 metrics to calculate overall rankings.
While the overall soft power ranking declined, the report highlighted mixed results. Positive shifts were seen in business perceptions, aided by easing inflation and lower borrowing costs, which improved access to capital and economic stability. Tourism and people-led factors also strengthened Sri Lanka’s global image, with the country rising 8 places as “a great place to visit,” 10 places for “food the world loves,” and 13 places for friendliness.
Despite these gains, weaknesses in governance perceptions and reduced media influence persisted. Global perceptions of Sri Lanka’s governance deteriorated, and its media ranking dropped from 104th to 129th, indicating limited international influence.
For comparison, the United States tops the soft power rankings, while Kiribati ranks last. In South Asia, Nepal is ranked just above Sri Lanka at 99th, whereas Afghanistan is lowest at 151st.
