From the Olympics to Euro 2024 and beyond
The Global Innovation Index uses various metrics to measure the overall level of innovation of a given nation. Each year, it uses a function of the metrics to calculate countries' overall scores, ranking them from most to least innovative.
In 2024, the index calculated the innovation of more than 130 countries. Although it revealed a general downward trend in global innovation, certain countries certainly did better than others.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
In 30th place out of 133, and, indeed, entering the top 30 for the first time ever, is the Czech Republic. The country's overall Global Innovation Index (GII) score was 44.0.
In 29th place with a score of 44.8 is Malta. This represents a move down the ranking for the European country.
Spain moved up the ranking in 2024, coming in 28th place. The southern European country performed particularly well in the category of 'Software Spending.'
Cyprus moved one spot up the ranking to land in 27th place. With an overall score of 45.1 the Mediterranean island beat Spain by 0.2 of a point.
Next as we move up the list is Italy, with an overall score of 45.3. The southern European country sits comfortably in the top 30, with strong creative outputs.
Another country to move up the list in 2024 is New Zealand. The country received high scores in categories such as Regulatory Environment.
In 24th position, we have Belgium, which also received top 30 scores in the following innovation pillars: Institutions, Human Capital & Research, Business Sophistication, and Knowledge & Technology outputs.
Joining New Zealand in the top 25 is neighbor Australia, which also moved up the list in 2024. Down under received an overall GII score of 48.1.
In 22nd place, we have Iceland, which received top 30 scores in all seven innovation pillars, except for Knowledge & Technology outputs.
Just missing out on a spot in the top 20 is Norway, which came in at 21st with a score of 49.1. Again, Norway performed strongly across all seven innovation pillars.
In 20th position, we have Luxembourg, which moved up the ranking to enter the top 20 for the first time ever. The European country's overall score was 49.1.
Another country to appear in the top 20 for the first time is Ireland, which moved up three spots versus last year and came in at 19th.
Hong Kong, China is one of four Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania (SEAO) countries to be classed as a world innovation leader. The country came in at 18th with a score of 50.1.
There is a relatively large jump in scores between Austria (17th) and Estonia (16th). The latter scored an impressive 52.3.
Israel scored just higher than Estonia, coming in 15th place. Although it moved down one rank versus the previous year, it still leads the Northern Africa and Western Asia region.
Canada ranks just above Israel, with an overall GII score of 52.9. This represents a comeback for the North American country and its highest rank since 2014.
Japan stands strong in position 13. In fact, this is the same ranking that Japan has held since 2021. Its capital Tokyo has the biggest Science & Technology cluster in the world.
In 12th position, we have France, whose very respectable score of 55.4 was quite a leap from Japan's 54.1.
And just before we enter the top 10, we have China, whose score of 56.3 puts them comfortably ahead of France. This represents a move up for China, as they continue to inch closer to the top 10.
Kicking off the top 10 we have Denmark, with an overall GII score of 57.1. Unsurprisingly, they scored highly across all seven pillars.
Then, there is quite a leap up to ninth place with Germany's score of 58.1. Germany is one of the five countries that dominates the industrial robot market.
In eighth place, we have the Netherlands with a score of 58.8. One of Netherland's strengths is its provision of credit to startups and scale-ups.
Coming in just above the Netherlands is Finland, with a score of 59.4. One of Finland's greatest strengths is their investments in Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs).
In sixth place, we have the Republic of Korea, whose impressive score of 60.9 makes the country one of the leaders of the SEAO region.
Into the top five now, we have the United Kingdom. Its city of Cambridge boasts one of the most intensive Science & Technology clusters relative to population density.
The fourth most innovative country in the world is Singapore. This represents a move up in the ranking, although there is still a way to go before the country breaks the top three.
In third place, we have the United States, which maintains its position in the ranking for the second consecutive year.
In second place is Sweden, which also maintains its position for the second year in a row. The country leads in Infrastructure (1st), Business Sophistication (1st), and Knowledge & Technology outputs (2nd).
Topping the list for a whopping 14th year running is Switzerland. With high scores across the board, Switzerland is the clear leader when it comes to innovation. It doesn't look like they'll be toppled from their position any time soon.
Sources: (Global Innovation Index) (World Population Review)
See also: Why you need to visit Switzerland
The most innovative countries in the world
Economies ranked by their ability to innovate
LIFESTYLE Innovation
The Global Innovation Index uses various metrics to measure the overall level of innovation of a given nation. Each year, it uses a function of the metrics to calculate countries' overall scores, ranking them from most to least innovative.
In 2024, the index calculated the innovation of more than 130 countries. Although it revealed a general downward trend in global innovation, certain countries certainly did better than others.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.