Index Methodology

Key Measures

As in previous years, the Index sets out the relative position of emerging markets using the same fourcomponent structure, assessing 50 countries across against Domestic Opportunities, International Opportunities, Business Fundamentals and Digital Readiness. The overall ranking reflects the aggregation of these component scores within the 2026 data set. Of note in 2026 is the extent of movement across the overall rankings, with a significant number of markets registering changes in position compared to last year (Ukraine, Cambodia, Bolivia, Lebanon, Pakistan). This movement is visible across the ranking, rather than being confined to a narrow segment, indicating that relative positioning has shifted for many markets.

Elsewhere, several changes in 2026 coincide with divergent movements across the component sub-indices. In some cases, this shift reflects offsetting changes between sub-indices (Brazil and Egypt), rather than uniform movement in a single direction. It’s therefore necessary to interpret overall ranking outcomes in conjunction with underlying sub-index performance, rather than as stand-alone indicators. Meanwhile, the Index also shows variation in the degree of alignment between sub-index scores, with some markets balanced across components (Qatar and Oman), while others exhibit wide dispersion (Ethiopia and Russia). Naturally the dispersion contributes to the differences in how changes at the sub-index level translate into overall movement.

A note on the method

This year as in previous, we’ve used a unique set of variables to measure the current, short and medium-term performance of 50 emerging markets across structural and cyclical factors in their supply markets and key verticals. The Index builds a snapshot of each country’s performance and potential as a global supply market and investment destination. To determine the ranking of the 50 nations, current and forecast data from world-leading institutions, including Transport Intelligence (TI), the IMF and the WEF, is used across the four components.

This year, the Digital Readiness assessment has been expanded to include AI readiness, adoption and investment. There is little doubt that AI will change the way global supply chains are built, but even less doubt that access to all that it promises depends on a variety of macroeconomic factors. Many will play across the emerging markets, and as such its inclusion in our assessment is both pertinent and necessary. Finally, by ranking each emerging market against the 49 others, the Index highlights strong performers and demonstrates where markets have advantages, vulnerabilities and significant investment opportunities.

What we assess

The Agility Emerging Markets Index 2026 examines four key areas for logistics market development:

Domestic Logistics Opportunities: measures the performance of each emerging market and its potential to sustain and develop domestic demand that requires competitive logistics markets:

• Domestic logistics markets – size & growth
• Economy – size & growth
• Population – size & growth
• Income equality
• Urbanisation
• Development of business clusters

International Logistics Opportunities: measures internal and external demand for trade intensive logistics services and the capacity of individual emerging markets to facilitate cross-border logistics operations:

• International logistics markets – size & growth
• Logistics intensive trade – size & growth
• Infrastructure quality and connectedness
• Border procedures – time & cost

Business Fundamentals: measures the openness, robustness, fairness and strength of each emerging market’s business environment, rule of law and market independence:

• Regulatory environment
• Credit rating
• Contract enforcement & anti-corruption frameworks
• Inflation & price stability
• Cost of crime & violence
• Market accessibility & domestic stability

Digital Readiness: measures the potential and progress of an emerging market in becoming a digitally led, skills rich, innovation-oriented and sustainable economy for the future:

• AI readiness, adoption and investment
• Emissions intensity
• Renewable energy mix
• Digital business models & online commerce
• Entrepreneurial risk
• Digital skills & human capital
• Availability of enterprise financing