Globalization Trends: DHL Study Spotlights EU’s Rising International Influence

(IN BRIEF) In the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report, the Netherlands emerges as the most globalized country in the European Union, closely followed by Ireland and Luxembourg. Notably, 14 EU member states, including Malta, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, Finland, Czechia, and Slovenia, rank among the top 20 most globalized nations worldwide. The report, compiled by researchers from the New York University Stern School of Business, analyzes global flows of trade, capital, information, and people across 181 countries and territories. It reveals the surprising resilience of global connections amidst various shocks, from the Covid-19 pandemic to geopolitical tensions. EU membership significantly enhances countries’ international ties, as evidenced by substantial growth in global connectedness among accession countries since 2001. The EU’s core principles, including the “four freedoms” and support for information flows, contribute to this phenomenon. Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Europe, highlights the benefits of EU membership for trade, open markets, and cultural exchange, emphasizing DHL’s role in facilitating connectivity. The Netherlands’ top ranking in the EU stems from its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and tradition of international openness. Overall, the report underscores the EU’s pivotal role in fostering globalization through regional integration and engagement with the world.

(PRESS RELEASE) BONN, 3-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Deutsche Post DHL Group (ETR: DPW), a German multinational package delivery and supply chain management company, announces the recent findings from the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report unveil intriguing insights into the state and trajectory of globalization. Developed by a distinguished team of researchers at New York University Stern School of Business, the 2024 edition of this comprehensive analysis delves deep into global flows of trade, capital, information, and people, encompassing 181 countries and territories.

Among the noteworthy revelations is the Netherlands’ position as the most globalized country within the European Union, closely followed by Ireland and Luxembourg. Impressively, a total of 14 EU members secure positions among the top 20 most globalized nations globally, including Malta, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, Finland, Czechia, and Slovenia.

The report, released in March this year, underscores the resilience of global flows amidst various disruptive events, including the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Contrary to prevailing notions of deglobalization, the report highlights that 25 out of 27 EU member countries have actually strengthened their global connectedness since 2017. It emphasizes the pivotal role of international ties in fostering economic growth, diversifying goods and services, cutting costs, enriching cultural exchange, and catalyzing innovation.

Furthermore, the research underscores the significant enhancement of countries’ international ties upon joining the EU, as evidenced by Malta, Slovenia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Slovakia, Estonia, and Poland, which have experienced substantial increases in global connectedness since their accession in 2004.

The EU’s core principles, including the “four freedoms” and the promotion of information flows through press freedom, are highlighted as key drivers of these developments. Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Europe, commends the EU’s commitment to free trade and open markets, emphasizing the conducive environment it creates for companies and economies to flourish globally.

EU Rank	Country	Score	Global Rank
1	Netherlands	75	2
2	Ireland	74	3
3	Luxembourg	73	4
4	Malta	71	5
5	Belgium	69	7
6	Denmark	67	11
7	Sweden	66	12
8	Germany	64	13
9	Cyprus	64	14
10	Hungary	63	15
11	Estonia	63	16
12	Finland	63	17
13	Czechia	62	18
14	Slovenia	62	19
15	Austria	61	22
16	France	61	23
17	Lithuania	60	27
18	Spain	59	31
19	Portugal	59	32
20	Italy	58	36
21	Bulgaria	58	37
22	Slovakia	58	38
23	Poland	58	40
24	Greece	58	42
25	Latvia	57	46
26	Croatia	56	48
27	Romania	54	55

The Netherlands’ top ranking within the EU is attributed to its strategic geographical location, robust transportation infrastructure, attractive domestic market, and longstanding tradition of international openness. Steven Altman, Senior Research Scholar at NYU Stern’s Center for the Future of Management and lead author of the report, lauds the EU’s role in fostering closer ties among member countries, asserting that regional integration serves as a fundamental building block for globalization.

The report also highlights individual measures of globalization where EU countries excel, such as Germany’s attractiveness to international university students and Denmark’s leadership in scientific research collaboration.

Published regularly since 2011, the DHL Global Connectedness Report provides invaluable insights into globalization trends, analyzing various international flows across a wide spectrum. Based on meticulous data analysis, the 2024 edition underscores the interconnectedness of countries worldwide and the transformative impact of regional integration on global connectivity.

More information on the Global Connectedness Report

Media contacts:

Sabine Hartmann
DHL Express
DHL Group
Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 20
53113 Bonn
Germany

NYU Stern
Media Relations
Carolyn Ritter
Phone: +1 212 998 0624
E-mail: critter@stern.nyu.edu

NYU Stern
Media Relations
Jeffrey Piascik
Phone: +1 212 998 0906
E-mail: jpiascik@stern.nyu.edu

SOURCE: Deutsche Post AG