In 2025, 77 out of 118 countries (65%) recorded an increase in their overall ETI scores, with an average gain of 1.1% – signalling a broad, though uneven, recovery in transition momentum. In total, 38%13 of countries recorded their strongest improvement in the dimension where they had previously scored lowest, potentially reflecting targeted efforts to close structural gaps. Meanwhile, only 28% of countries achieved gains across all three dimensions of the energy trilemma – underscoring how the transition is increasingly multi-speed and multidimensional, shaped by varying national priorities, capabilities and starting points. Advanced economies continued to lead the rankings, accounting for 16 of the top 20 performers. The Nordics – Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway – retained the top positions, reflecting high performance across energy diversification, clean energy adoption, strong policy frameworks and reliable infrastructure. Sweden remained the top performer, with consistently strong scores across all three system dimensions – equitability, security and sustainability. Switzerland maintained its place in the top five while Norway re-entered the top five tier, highlighting renewed momentum in its energy transition efforts. Nevertheless, the highest- ranked countries showed room for improvement, as progress slowed in some cases. Major economies showed selective gains with potential to lead. China led emerging Asia, with a 2.2% y-o-y ETI score gain and the fifth- highest transition readiness score globally – driven by strong innovation ecosystems and financial capacity. The US grew its score by 0.6% y-o-y and topped the security dimension, supported by supply diversity and robust infrastructure. India advanced in energy intensity, CH4 emissions and regulations and financial investments. Brazil led Latin America with steady progress in clean energy adoption and improved equity. Saudi Arabia, the second-best scorer in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region, improved in security and was the country that improved the fastest in renewable capacity build-out. Tailored reforms are accelerating progress across emerging Europe and emerging Asia.In emerging Europe, Latvia (the region’s leader) posted strong gains, while Bosnia and Herzegovina showed impressive momentum, helping the region achieve the highest score increase in 2025 (+2.8% y-o-y) – particularly in infrastructure (+8.3%) and equity (+5.6%). In emerging Asia, China led the region’s performance, backed by regulatory improvements and clean energy investment, while the Kyrgyz Republic demonstrated notable acceleration (+16.2%). Latvia and the United Arab Emirates illustrate how focused policies can accelerate progress. Latvia entered the ETI top 10 for the first time, driven by a 7.9% y-o-y score increase supported by gains in equity, clean energy capital flows and renewable energy capacity buildout. Meanwhile the United Arab Emirates recorded the highest improvement in the Middle East (+7.9% y-o-y). This was enabled by targeted subsidy reforms,14 rising clean energy shares, falling energy intensity and continued expansion of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant – now supplying nearly 25% of the country’s electricity.15 Nigeria also stood out, with one of the fastest improvements in transition readiness (+36.8% y-o-y), driven by major advances in investment capacity, infrastructure and regulation. These cases highlight how diverse countries can drive rapid gains through targeted, context- specific efforts. Top performers The highest-ranking countries on the ETI continue to demonstrate what effective and resilient energy transition pathways can look like. In 2025, the top 10 performers continued to consist predominantly of advanced economies, most notably from Northern and Western Europe. While they represent a small share of global energy demand and emissions, collectively accounting for only 3% of energy-related CO2 emissions, 4% of total energy supply, 2% of the global population and 9% of the global GDP , they provide valuable insights into long-term transition strategies (Table 2). In emerging Europe, Latvia (the region’s leader) posted strong gains, while Bosnia and Herzegovina showed impressive momentum, helping the region achieve the highest score increase. Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2025 16