BERLIN - Germany's international competitiveness as a location for doing business declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2018, a study by the IMD business school found on Thursday.

The Eurozone's largest economy fell into the 15th place in the closely-watched IMD study after having advanced to sixth place as recently as 2014. The ranking was topped by the US this year which was followed by China's Hong Kong in second and Singapore in third place respectively.

"Germany is the largest economy of its region, continues to grow and is still one of the countries with high competitiveness", a statement by IMD chief economist Christos Cabolis read.

Cabolis noted, however, that this study had observed a "downward trend" for the country in recent years.

The annual ranking of international competitiveness is compiled by IMD on the basis of 258 data categories, including employment, trade and public debt. Additionally, survey responses from thousands of business executives are taken into account.

Cabolis warned on Thursday that business sentiment appeared to have soured with regards to how managers assessed the ability of German policymakers to "adapt legislation to changing economic conditions" or "implement decisions effectively."

Managers further expressed skepticism over the extent to which companies in Germany were successfully embracing digital technologies. Only a tiny fraction of surveyed executives (1.2 percent) rated the German taxation system favorably.

By contrast, survey participants praised the high level of skills which German employees possessed. Political stability and certainty of outlook were also indicated as factors which spoke in favor of doing business in Germany compared to other locations.