Switzerland once again ranked as the world’s most innovative country by the UN
Switzerland remains the world’s most innovative country, according to the UN. More broadly, AI is driving growth in venture capital and research investment, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) said on Tuesday in Geneva.
Select your language
Generated with artificial intelligence.
Listening:
Switzerland once again ranked as the world’s most innovative country by the UN
According to the UN agency’s Global Innovation Index, Switzerland – which has held the top spot for 16 years – is ahead of Sweden and the United States. As was the case last year, China ranks 10th.
Real expenditure on research rose by 3.3% in 2025. It is expected to rise slightly further this year to reach $3,400 billion. Corporate expenditure rose by 5.8% to reach $1,500 billion, a new record.
Venture capital investment has soared, rising by nearly 30% – the largest increase since 2021. In total, 53% of this funding was directed towards artificial intelligence (AI). According to WIPO Director General Daren Tang, AI is opening up new technological possibilities “across all scientific fields”.
More
Is Switzerland as innovative as it ranks?
+ How we produce news in English
Translated from French, reviewed by an English Department journalist.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.