Singapore ranks 5th in the 2025 Global Innovation Index; climbed two spots in Innovation Outputs

1      SINGAPORE, 16 September 2025 - Singapore has been ranked 5th among 139 economies in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII) – the third consecutive year in the top five. It was also ranked 2nd in the South-east Asia, East Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region. This is also the second year that Singapore has achieved the highest number of top-ranked indicators, securing 1st place for 10 out of 78 GII indicators.

2      The GII is a global ranking of the world’s most innovative economies, published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

3     The GII ranking is based on two broad areas: innovation inputs and innovation outputs.

• Innovation Inputs refer to factors that enable innovative activities (e.g., institutions, human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication and business sophistication).

• Innovation outputs reflect the results of innovative activity (e.g., knowledge and technology outputs and creative outputs).

4      Singapore maintained its top position in innovation inputs for the 15th year in a row. It continued to hold the top spot for the institutions pillar, whilst maintaining 2nd position in the human capital and research pillar and 3rd position in the business sophistication pillar. More specifically, top-ranked indicators for Singapore include government effectiveness, policy stability for doing business, and FDI net inflows.

5      Singapore rose two positions to 9th in innovation outputs—its highest ranking in over a decade. The country advanced two positions to 7th in the knowledge and technology outputs pillar, and four positions to 15th in the creative outputs pillar. This improvement was driven by strengths in high-tech manufacturing, unicorn valuations, and cultural and creative exports, alongside gains in intangible asset intensity and brand value of top firms.

6      This year’s index used 78 indicators from public and private international sources to track innovation performance across 139 economies.

7      Said Mr Tan Kong Hwee, Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), "Singapore's performance in the Global Innovation Index (GII) reflects the collective commitment across government, businesses, and research communities to build a world-class innovation ecosystem. Singapore maintained its leading position in innovation inputs, but more significantly, we improved two positions to 9th in innovation outputs - our highest rank in over a decade. This indicates that we have enhanced our innovation capability to realise tangible benefit for the economy. The GII provides encouragement and affirmation as we plan for the next bound of the Singapore IP Strategy (SIPS) 2030.”

8      More details on the full GII study ↗ (opens in new tab) is available here.

Annex: 2025 Global Innovation Index infographic ↗ (opens in new tab)

For media queries, or to request an interview, please contact:

Mr Colin Lau
Senior Account Executive, Ruder Finn
Tel: +65 8182 3633
colin.lau@ruderfinn.com ↗ (opens in new tab)

IPOS
Ms Jenny Kwok
Senior Assistant Director, Media & Communications
Tel: +65 8333 7231
jenny_kwok@ipos.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)

About IPOS

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is Singapore’s national intellectual property (IP) office, overseeing the registration, examination, and administration of IP rights. Together with its capability building arm, IPOS International, the group empowers businesses to harness intangible assets and IP for growth through training, advisory, and resources. IPOS International is a subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. It helps enterprises manage their IA and IP effectively for transformation and growth.