Many Georgians like to believe their country is somehow special—blessed by history, culture, or geography in ways that guarantee success. They point to ancient traditions, stunning landscapes, or a proud past as if these things alone will carry the nation forward. But the truth is far more sobering: Georgia is not special. Not in the way that matters for building a strong economy in the 21st century. Romanticism doesn’t pay salaries, history doesn’t create jobs, and beauty doesn’t build infrastructure. The world doesn’t owe Georgia prosperity—and no miracle is coming. The only way forward is hard, relentless work. Georgians must work their ass off if they want to build a country that offers real opportunity, dignity, and wealth.
Tucked between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Georgia is a nation of resilience and ambition, but also of untapped potential. Over the past two decades, it has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in the post-Soviet space—slashing corruption, simplifying regulations, and attracting investment. But despite these achievements, a difficult truth remains: the country is still not wealthy enough to meet the needs and expectations of its people. The only real solution is economic growth—broad, rapid, and sustained. Georgia must get rich. There is no alternative.
Georgia’s economy has grown significantly since the early 2000s. Foreign investors recognize its strategic location, open markets, and favorable business environment. Tourism has flourished, infrastructure has improved, and the digital economy is beginning to show promise. Yet much of the population still struggles with low wages, rising prices, and limited upward mobility. Small businesses often face credit constraints. Many young professionals leave the country, seeking better-paying opportunities abroad. While Georgia is stable and functional, it remains far from economically secure. Being “on the right path” is not enough. Georgia must accelerate.
Virtually every major challenge facing Georgia—be it education quality, healthcare access, infrastructure modernization, or the brain drain—is rooted in one issue: not enough national wealth. When a country becomes rich, it can afford better infrastructure, raise living standards without relying on aid or remittances, invest in future industries, and retain its talent. Economic strength doesn’t just provide comfort—it provides options. Georgia cannot afford to plateau at a middle-income level. The momentum must continue.
Georgia doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. What it needs is clarity of focus and execution. The business environment must continue to improve—not just in rankings, but in real-world investor experience. Bureaucratic bottlenecks must be addressed. Private investment must be actively encouraged, especially in sectors with high export and productivity potential like logistics, IT, renewable energy, and high-quality tourism. These are the industries that can generate foreign exchange, create well-paying jobs, and deepen integration with global markets.
Education and workforce development are central to this vision. No nation becomes wealthy without a skilled labor force. Georgia must double down on technical training, vocational programs, and digital literacy to equip its people for the jobs of the future. In parallel, it must take full advantage of its geography. Georgia’s position as a natural corridor between Europe and Asia gives it enormous potential to become a regional trade and transport hub. Continued investment in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and policy alignment with regional partners can turn this potential into performance.
It is also critical that growth reaches beyond Tbilisi. Regional development is more than a social objective—it is an economic necessity. Unlocking the economic potential of Georgia’s regions will broaden the domestic market, reduce pressure on the capital, and strengthen national resilience.
Georgia has no shortage of vision, talent, or opportunity. But the next chapter depends on execution. The country’s problems—economic pressure, population outflow, limited fiscal capacity—will not be solved by rhetoric or nostalgia. They will be solved by wealth creation. For Georgia, getting rich is not a luxury. It is a necessity. The path is clear, and the time is now.