Three EU countries – the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden – are among the world’s five most innovative countries according to the latest Global Innovation Index (GII), which ranks the innovation performance of 141 countries and economies around the world, based on 79 indicators. The other two countries are Switzerland the United States while China, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Jordan, Kenya and Uganda are among countries outperforming their economic peers within their respective income groups.
The GII is co-published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD. The index not only explores the impact of innovation-oriented policies on economic growth and development in both developed and developing countries but it also pinpoints new ways that emerging-economy policymakers can boost innovation and spur growth by building on local strengths and ensuring the development of a sound national innovation environment. WIPO Director General Francis Gurry commented that “Innovation holds far-reaching promise for spurring economic growth in countries at all stages of development. However, realizing this promise is not automatic,” while adding that “each nation must find the right mix of policies to mobilize the innate innovative and creative potential in their economies.”
The UK, which was the second most innovative country in the world jumping from the 10th position in 2011, hosted the global launch of the 8th edition of the GII. Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister for Intellectual Property and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills noted that “The UK has an outstanding tradition in producing the very best in science and research: with less than 1 percent of the world’s population we produce 16 percent of the top quality published research. This research excellence is a major factor in the UK maintaining its position at number 2 in the 2015 Global Innovation Index. The government is committed to making Britain the best place in Europe to innovate, patent new ideas and start and grow a business.” Top 10 of most innovative countries includes also other EU Member States – Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg and Denmark.
