By Michelle Ndaga
China has made history by entering the top 10 of the United Nations’ Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 for the first time, displacing Germany to 11th place.
The index, released Monday, evaluates 139 economies using 78 indicators that measure research and development (R&D), patent filings, infrastructure, human capital, creative outputs, and institutional strength.
Switzerland retained its spot as the world’s most innovative country for the 14th consecutive year, followed by Sweden, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
China now holds the 10th position, marking a major milestone in its push to become a global technology leader.
The report highlights China’s growing dominance in intellectual property, accounting for nearly a quarter of all global patent applications in 2024 the highest share from any single nation.
Rising private sector R&D investment and state-backed innovation initiatives have helped close the gap with traditional innovation leaders.
Germany, meanwhile, experienced a slight decline in international patent filings and digital innovation output, factors that contributed to its fall out of the top 10.
Analysts say Germany remains strong in industrial and manufacturing innovation but faces challenges in adapting to rapid digital transformation.
The GII also warned of a global slowdown in R&D spending, forecasting growth at just 2.3 percent this year the weakest since the 2010 financial crisis raising concerns about the pace of future technological breakthroughs.
Source: Reuters
