Switzerland ranks No. 1 in global innovation
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) published a study on Thursday naming Switzerland the world leader in innovation for 2015.
Other countries in the top five for 2015 were the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States. Countries that were noted as performing better than their economic peers included China, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Jordan, Kenya and Uganda.
The results are based on the Global Innovation Index 2015, which is collaboratively published by WIPO, Cornell University in the United States and the INSEAD Business School in France. The index is calculated for 141 international economies based on 79 indicators.
Switzerland has held the top position since 2011.
“Switzerland’s performance is exceptional,” said WIPO Director General Francis Gurry in a statement.
”We see great sophistication in Switzerland’s links between government, the private sector and universities – the fundamental ties in the domain of innovation.”
This year’s report focused on “Effective Policies for Development”, and on how policymakers in emerging economies can build on local strengths to support and accelerate innovation.
The Global Innovation Index is calculated based on a nation’s innovation inputs (human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication and business sophistication) and innovation outputs (knowledge and technology outputs, and creative outputs). The calculation is subjected to an independent statistical audit by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
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