Wettbewerbsfähig

Wettbewerbsfähig is a German adjective used to describe the ability to compete effectively in a market or field. It applies to companies, industries, economies, or individuals. The term is formed from Wettbewerb (competition) and fähig (able), and the corresponding noun form is Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, meaning competitiveness or the capacity to compete.

In business, being wettbewerbsfähig means offering products or services with a favorable price–quality ratio, reliable delivery, and ongoing innovation that enable performance relative to rivals. This can involve cost efficiency, productivity, quality management, brand strength, and access to necessary resources such as capital and skilled labor. A company can become and stay wettbewerbsfähig through scale, process optimization, digitalization, and strategic positioning in markets.

Assessment of wettbewerbsfähigkeit is relative and context-dependent. It is often discussed in terms of productivity, innovation capacity, infrastructure, regulatory environment, and macroeconomic factors such as energy costs and exchange rates. National and regional competitiveness rankings, benchmark analyses, and industry-specific metrics are used to compare relative competitiveness.

In policy and public discourse, improving Wettbewerbsfähigkeit is a common objective—through investments in education, research and development, infrastructure, and a favorable business climate. The term is also used in sports and other competitive settings to denote the degree to which a team or athlete can contend with opponents.