According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s (GEM) National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) report, India ranked fourth out of 51 countries in having a quality entrepreneurship ecosystem.
GEM defines the entrepreneurial context of a particular economy in terms of 13 different characteristics, labelled the Entrepreneurship Framework Conditions. The NECI results are based on the scores of the framework conditions for each of the participating 51 economies. At least 36 experts are selected to assess statements that make up the scores that can be compared across economies.
India’s latest score of 6.1 reflects a steady increase in the country’s overall entrepreneurial environment over the years. India’s NECI score rose from 5.8 in 2019 (ranked 6th among GEM economies) to 6.0 in 2020 (ranked 4th). However, there was a dip in 2021, with a score of 5.0 (barely sufficient) and a rank of 16th, the report said.
Dr. Sreevas Sahasranamam, who is a co-author of the current GEM global report and Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at U.K.’s Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow, said, “The improved quality of the entrepreneurship ecosystem is a reflection of both initiatives of the Indian government in supporting new businesses such as Make in India and Atal Innovation Mission, and a change in popular culture evident through the interest and celebration of entrepreneurship through television shows like Shark Tank India.”
The GEM 2022/2023 Global Report also discusses results from the Adult Population Survey carried out in India with more than 2,000 respondents which found Indians excelling in several arenas of start-ups.
“The motivation ‘to continue a family tradition’ continues to be an important driver of entrepreneurship in India, with 69% of respondents agreeing to it. Another strong driver has been ‘to make a difference in the world’ at 81 percent,” it said, according to the news report.
Nearly 80 per cent of the respondents agreed that they had the skills and experience to start their own business, saw good opportunities to start a business and found it was easy to start a business in India. However, only 20 per cent were expecting to start a new business in the next three years.
“India entrepreneurs were at the top globally (nearly 70 per cent) when it comes to pursuing new opportunities due to the pandemic,” the report further said.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
