Switzerland remains the most innovative country in the world, still ahead of Sweden and the United States, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). China has moved up to 11th place. Activity is facing a slowdown, the organization lamented Thursday in Geneva.
Switzerland has been number one for well over ten years in the Global Innovation Index, which brings together dozens of indicators from more than 130 countries. According to the reportit ranks at least among the top five in all the different parts, except for infrastructure where it is seventh.
As it was a year ago, it is leading in particular for access to new technologies or the production of know-how and technologies. However, it is no longer leading for the political business environment, where it comes in for the first time behind Singapore, or patent families. But the country’s main economic centers seem to be attracting more and more investment, according to the organization.
Decline in investment in research
More broadly, at the global level, “the situation is tumultuous with some bright spots,” WIPO Director General Daren Tang told reporters. Investments in research continue to decline, even more, which raises fears of worrying figures for this year and next.
The reasons include the increase in interest rates and the political situation, according to a manager of the organization. But also the pandemic that had caused investments to explode. This, despite the many problems, was also “a great accelerator”, according to the general director.
WIPO laments a 40% decrease in the value of venture capital investments last year and more than 9% in terms of volume, as well as a slowdown in the growth of research spending. These figures have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Fewer patent filings
International patent filings were also down 1.8%, for the first time in fifteen years, the organization also states. “However, technological advances remained significant” in 2023, Daren Tang says. Particularly in health and electric vehicles.
Behind the top three, Singapore climbs another place and overtakes the British. South Korea, 10th last year, advances four places in total, notably with its investments in green technologies. China remains the only emerging country among the top 30. Not all developing countries are necessarily advancing. WIPO calls on policies to establish innovation ecosystems.
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