Connecting to the World: Lessons from 10 Years of the DHL Global Connectedness Index

Global connectedness is a powerful force for expanding prosperity, with the potential to improve lives in countries at all levels of economic development. Some of the most important drivers of connectedness—such as countries' income levels, population sizes, and geographic locations—are beyond the direct control of policymakers. Five policy areas, nonetheless, stand out for their potential to strengthen countries' links to the rest of the world: peace and security, an attractive domestic business environment, openness to international flows, regional integration, and building societal support for globalization. Global connectedness is not a one-size-fits-all package that must be either embraced fully or rejected. Instead, countries can foster the connections that fit best with their national contexts and priorities.