New Zealand has been ranked 17th in the first edition of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index.
But, New Zealand ranked number one in the survey's Business Landscape category which included areas such as labour market flexibility.
The index, launched today by international business school, INSEAD, is based on research in partnership with the Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore and US-based recruiting company, Adecco.
New Zealand was also rated third highest for regulatory landscape and second highest for political stability.
In the External Openess category - which included brain gain and qualified labour inflow New Zealand ranked poorly. But on Internal Openess - including tolerance of immigrants, minorities, social mobility and prevalence of female professionals the country ranked fourth highest.