Measure
Annual changes
Lost 0.5 points (−9% change) in overall score in 2020.
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Analysis
Mongolia is a minor power in Asia.
The country’s overall score in the Index declined by 0.5 points compared to 2019.
Mongolia performs best in the defence networks measure, where it places 20th. Despite Ulaanbaatar’s close defence ties with Washington — forged through combined military operations with the United States in the Middle East — the country is trending downward for regional defence diplomacy in 2020. Its lowest rankings are in the diplomatic influence and cultural influence measures, coming in at 24th place.
In 2020, Mongolia moved up one place in its resilience ranking. However, the landlocked country continues to face strategic vulnerabilities due to its geographic position between two more powerful neighbours — China and Russia. It has also slipped by two places in the future resources measure.
Mongolia exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s negative power gap score. While Mongolia is a net underachiever in Asia, its negative power gap improved in 2020.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Scores
Comprehensive power
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
24th
5.6
Rank
Change
Trend
Score
Economic capability
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
21st
— 1.9
Military capability
Conventional military strength
21st
— 3.7
Resilience
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
22nd +1
18.2
Future resources
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
23rd −2
1.2
Economic relationships
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
23rd −1
— 1.2
Defence networks
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
20th −1
6.5
Diplomatic influence
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
24th −1
— 17.9
Cultural influence
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction
24th
— 1.2