Philippines improves in global innovation index

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was named as one of the top climbers of the decade in the Global Innovation Index (GII) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), landing three spots higher this year to 56th among 132 countries.

According to the report, the country significantly improved its ranking in the past 10 years, starting from 90th in 2013.

The Philippines was joined by other rising innovators in the past decade such as Iran, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Turkey and China.

“There is a mixed picture for leading emerging economies, with Indonesia rising fast over recent years, the Philippines and Vietnam progressing again and India stable, but with China, Türkiye and the Islamic Republic of Iran falling back slightly, possibly in part due to recent COVID-19 induced effects,” the report said.

The report noted that the country ranks 4th among the 37 lower middle-income group economies, and 11th among the 16 economies in Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania.

“The Philippines performs better in innovation outputs than innovation inputs in 2023,” the report said, highlighting that the country ranks 69th in innovation outputs and 52nd in innovation inputs.

Last year, the country ranked 76th in innovation inputs and 51st in innovation outputs.

Based on this year’s report, the Philippines obtained its highest rank in the business sophistication pillar, landing on the 38th spot.

This was followed by the knowledge and technology outputs ranking 46th, and the markets and sophistication pillar at 55th.

In contrast, the country ranked lowest in the human capital and research pillar at 88th spot.

It ranked 86th in infrastructure and 79th in the institutions pillar.

The Philippines ranked 60th in creative