The National Capability Framework

The National Capability Framework maps the defining capabilities that shape a nation's power, prosperity and resilience, the generational systems, structures and frontier advantages that enable nations to endure, adapt and compound advantage over time.

In an era of rapid technological change and shifting geopolitical currents, understanding the true foundations of national strength has become more critical than ever. The National Capability Framework, developed by the Global Institute for National Capability (GINC), provides an analytical lens to systematically measure and benchmark a nation’s ability to pursue its strategic goals. Rather than focusing narrowly on military might or GDP alone, this open-source framework encompasses a broad set of tangible and intangible factors that collectively determine a country’s capacity for power, influence, and prosperity . By evaluating domains from human development to advanced technology, the framework enables policymakers, researchers, and analysts to identify critical gaps and strengths in national strategy. The emphasis is on capability – the underlying enablers of power – rather than power itself, reflecting GINC’s people-centered view that long-term resilience and competitiveness stem from robust national foundations .

Framework Overview

Framework Overview: The framework is organized into three domains – Hard, Soft, and Economic Capability – within which lie nine key dimensions (each dimension containing several specific components). The Hard domain covers physical and material pillars of power (such as resources, technology, and security forces). The Soft domain captures human, social, and institutional capital (ranging from education and health to governance and cultural influence). The Economic domain evaluates financial and productive strength and engagement in global trade. This structure recognizes that national strength is multidimensional: a country’s military or economic power cannot be viewed in isolation from its technological sophistication, human capital, governance quality, or integration in global markets . The following sections provide an analytical explanation of each dimension and its smallest components (e.g., Advanced ICT, Primary & Secondary Education, Trade Infrastructure, etc.), highlighting why each factor is vital to national capability. The discussion remains global and conceptual, avoiding specific country case studies or regional biases, to provide a neutral framework applicable to any nation.

Hard Capability

Critical Technology

Critical Technology refers to the advanced scientific and engineering capacities that drive a nation’s competitiveness and security in the modern era . In GINC’s framework it spans high-tech sectors such as information and communications, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced materials, energy innovation, biotechnology, robotics, space technology, and position/navigation/timing systems. These cutting-edge technologies are considered “essential for a nation’s economic competitiveness, security, and technological sovereignty” . Nations that lead in critical tech can gain significant strategic advantages, fueling economic growth and enabling next-generation defense and industrial capabilities.

Figure 2. Critical Technology Capability Domain

Strategic Infrastructure

Strategic Infrastructure covers the major physical infrastructures and industrial bases that support a nation’s economy and security. This goes beyond basic infrastructure to include systems critical for resource delivery, energy, transport, communications, manufacturing, and aerospace – essentially the backbone networks and facilities that enable a country to function and project power. GINC’s framework highlights that robust national infrastructure underpins resilience and prosperity, with components like resource and energy infrastructure ensuring self-sufficiency, and advanced manufacturing enabling industrial competitiveness. High-quality infrastructure reduces transaction costs and increases efficiency across the economy, directly contributing to economic output and connectivity . The components of this dimension reflect a comprehensive view of infrastructure: from traditional sectors (transport, energy grids) to modern needs (digital infrastructure and social infrastructure).

Figure 3. Strategic Infrastructure Capability Domain

National Security

National Security capability encompasses the defense and intelligence apparatus that protect a nation’s sovereignty and strategic interests. It spans traditional military domains – land, sea, air – as well as space, cyber, and intelligence capabilities. This dimension evaluates not the intent of using power, but the capacity to do so: the strength, modernization, and readiness of a nation’s armed forces and security services. A broad security capability ensures a nation can defend its territory, contribute to international stability, and deter aggression. GINC’s framework highlights intelligence and newer domains like cyber and space as equally critical alongside conventional forces . Each component here reflects a different facet of military power or security infrastructure that together form a comprehensive defense posture.

Figure 4. National Security Capability Domain

Soft Capability

The Soft Capability domain encompasses the human, social, and institutional qualities that allow a nation to mobilize its people and influence others. Unlike hard assets, these factors are more intangible: the education and health of the populace, the effectiveness of governance, the power of national narrative and culture, and the extent of diplomatic and informational influence globally. Soft capabilities often translate into “smart power” – the ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce. GINC defines this domain through dimensions of Human Development, National Leadership & Governance, and Global Influence (also referred to as Human Capital, Governance & Integrity, and Information & Influence in our expanded breakdown). These are the facets that determine how well a nation develops its human potential and leverages it on the world stage.

Human Capital

Human Capital refers to the strength of a nation’s education and skill base, health status, and capacity for innovation among its people . It captures how effectively a country cultivates its human resources – from basic literacy and numeracy to advanced scientific research – and how healthy and productive the population is. A nation’s human capital is a primary driver of its long-term economic growth and social development. This dimension comprises components spanning the educational ladder (primary to tertiary and vocational training), continuous workforce development, digital literacy, and the overall wellness of the populace. Together, these components indicate the quality of the labor force and the degree to which a country can create and utilize knowledge.

Figure 5. Human Capital Capability Domain

Information & Influence

Information & Influence covers the ways a nation projects itself and wields influence beyond brute force – through its culture, values, diplomacy, communication, and diaspora. It aligns with the concept of soft power, introduced by Joseph Nye, meaning the ability to get others to want what you want through attraction rather than coercion. The components in this dimension assess how a nation builds its identity and narrative, both internally and globally, and how it engages with international publics and partners. This includes cultural influence (movies, media, language), diplomatic networks, global communication strategies, diaspora relations, and the integrity of its information space. In essence, it’s about the credibility and appeal of a nation on the world stage and the coherence of its society at home.

Figure 6. Information and Influence Capability Domain

Governance & Integrity

Governance & Integrity examines the quality of a nation’s domestic governance – the stability of its institutions, the rule of law, effectiveness and accountability of government, level of corruption, transparency, and ability to handle crises. Essentially, it’s about how well the country is managed and how much trust exists between the government and the governed. Strong governance ensures that resources (whether financial, human, or material) are utilized efficiently for public good, policies are implemented effectively, and citizens’ rights are protected. It also contributes heavily to a country’s attractiveness for investment and alliance, as nations with reliable governance are seen as safer partners. GINC frames this dimension around leadership and integrity , reflecting that national leadership quality and institutional integrity directly influence all other capabilities.

Figure 7. Governance and Integrity Capability Domain

Economic Capability

The Economic Capability domain centers on a nation’s financial and productive strength and its integration into the global economy . It encompasses the macroeconomic stability and resources a nation has (fiscal and financial strength), the efficiency and innovation of its industries (productivity and innovation), and the extent to which it engages and competes in international trade and investment. Essentially, this domain captures how well a country can generate and manage wealth – the fuel for both citizen welfare and the other capabilities (funding defense, education, tech development, etc.). As GINC notes, it involves Fiscal Capability, National Productivity, and Global Trade dimensions, reflecting that a truly capable economy must be stable and creditworthy, advanced in what it produces, and actively connected to the world.

Financial Strength

Financial Strength refers to the soundness of a nation’s fiscal and monetary foundations, the depth and stability of its financial system, and its capacity to mobilize capital for development. It’s about having the economic fundamentals in place: stable currency and prices, sustainable public finances, robust banks and capital markets, and integration into global finance (when advantageous). This dimension’s components cover monetary/currency stability, sovereign credit, growth trends, financial market development, international financial linkages, sovereign wealth, regulatory quality in finance, and capital availability. In combination, these indicate whether a nation’s economy is resilient to shocks, trusted by investors, and capable of financing both public and private sector needs.

Figure 8. Financial Strength Capability Domain

Production & Innovation

Production & Innovation looks at how effectively a nation turns inputs into outputs – essentially the efficiency (productivity) and sophistication of its economy. It examines the complexity of outputs (are you making simple goods or complex high-tech ones?), the productivity of labor, land, and capital, and the ecosystem for research and development, intellectual property creation, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption. This dimension is about the quality of economic activity, not just quantity. A country might have financial resources (from oil, for instance), but if it doesn’t excel in productivity and innovation, it may not be sustainable or competitive long-term. These components collectively indicate an economy’s internal dynamism and its capacity to upgrade itself.

Figure 9. Productivity and Innovation Capability Domain

Investment & Trade

Investment & Trade covers a nation’s engagement with the global economy – how well it builds infrastructure for trade, attracts and directs foreign investment, competes in export markets, and manages its position in global supply chains and trade relationships. It assesses openness and connectivity: being open to trade and investment can drive growth, but also requires resilience to external shocks and ensuring dependency doesn’t become a strategic vulnerability. GINC’s framework highlights infrastructure, digital trade, FDI, export sophistication, and strategic trade leverage . The components here reflect how a country leverages global opportunities (trading goods, services, digital products, and capital) and how it guards or maximizes its interests in the global trade system.

Figure 10. Trade & Investment Capability Domain