What drives global competitiveness in the European Union countries?

Abstract This paper examines the effect of factors of national competitiveness measured by the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). It aims to identify the key factors that determine GCI of the European Union (EU-28) countries. We observe the composite indicator of GCI and the 12 factors of competitiveness in the period of 2008–2019 focusing on the links between the GCI and the factors of institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment and its stability and market size. The GCI is determined using correlation and regression analyses and Structural Equation Model. A significantly positive relationship with the GCI is confirmed for institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment and stability, labour market efficiency, market size, technological readiness in terms of information and communication technologies, and business sophistication and dynamism, but not for higher education and training and financial market development. The quality institutions are confirmed as a fundamental positive factor for the GCI together with macroeconomic environment and stability and market size. The study contributes with an empirical analysis that confirms the relationship between the selected factors of competitiveness and the GCI in the EU-28 countries.