Belgium climbs in UN innovation ranking
Belgium has risen to 21st place in the annual Global Innovation Index ranking of the world’s most innovative economies, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This is the country's best result since 2013.
Alongside Ireland and Norway, Belgium stands out as a strong performer in Europe, scoring well in research and development, education, and knowledge-intensive employment.
Now in its 18th year, the index assesses innovation capacity and output in around 140 countries using dozens of indicators. Switzerland retained its position as the global leader for the 15th consecutive year, followed by Sweden, the United States, South Korea, and Singapore. China entered the top 10 for the first time, taking 10th place.
However, WIPO noted that global growth in innovation investment has slowed. Last year, research and development spending increased by just 2.9 per cent, down from 4.4 per cent in 2022 - the weakest pace since the 2010 financial crisis. The organisation warned that high inflation is likely to further hinder innovation this year.
The UN's World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland. © Fabrice Coffrini / AFP
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