1、JANUARY 2026|2ND EDITIONEuropean CEOs and Citizens Both Want the Same Thing:Economic CompetitivenessEuropean Competitiveness BarometerKey takeaways21Time is running out for Europe“Liberation Day”wake-up call didnt happenPeople wont opt outEurope is the answerof business leaders,backed by 85%of citiz

2、ens,say Europe must protect its commercial interests to prevent severe consequencesBusiness leaders optimism has fallen as hopes fade that“Liberation Day”would spark bold action,yet the window remains openof business leaders and citizens support“more Europe”to strengthen competitiveness through more

3、 cooperation,not less315%96%60%4but a full reset is needed,and a path forward emergesCitizens call on business leaders to step upand they are ready to do soof citizens and business leaders agree on the need for radical change,with business leaders proposing a focused agenda led by a small group of c

4、ountriesof citizens and 93%of leaders want business leaders to take public roles,including in institutions,yet many are still held back by constraints580%76%Source:BCG analysis.Europes competitiveness has stalled,and business leaders warn time is running out to avoid rising economic and social risks

5、 Source:BCG C-level survey on European competitiveness(Nov 2025).Note:Leaders expressed overall agreement on the potential consequences to European competitiveness if current risks of decline remain unaddressed.1Share of panel agreeing;excluding neutral answers.TAKEAWAY 1Share of business leaders wh

6、o foresee the following economic and social consequences if competitiveness declines(%)1 93%90%88%84%+6pts+10pts+10pts+11pts Workforce reductions will become more common Innovation and R&D efforts will slow downBusinesses will increasingly offshore operations outside Europe Investment capacity(exclu