The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025. Switzerland, Sweden, the US, the Republic of Korea and Singapore lead the rankings, followed by the UK, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark and China which enters the top 10 for the first time. The index now in its 18th edition evaluates nearly 140 economies using 80 indicators covering R&D spending, venture capital, high-tech exports and intellectual property activity.
This year’s findings show slower growth in innovation investment. Global R&D growth dropped to 2.9% in 2024 its lowest since 2010 and is expected to slow further. Corporate R&D also stagnated due to inflation with ICT, AI and pharma firms increasing spending while manufacturing firms reduced it. Venture capital investment values rose 7.7% thanks to large US deals and AI activity but the number of deals declined for a third year in a row. Patent filings grew modestly with gains in Korea offset by declines in the US, Japan and Germany.
The report also highlights steady progress by middle-income economies such as China, India, Türkiye and Viet Nam, along with strong regional performers in Africa and Latin America. Despite challenges, global technological progress continues in areas like genomics, robotics and renewable energy.
Leave a comment