Switzerland: 14 Years Leading Global Innovation

Switzerland has done it again: in 2024, it is once more at the top of the Global Innovation Index (GII). Switzerland has held the top position in innovation since 2011, and with good reason.

Published every year by WIPO, the index measures innovation using indicators such as institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, investments, knowledge and technology outputs, and creative outputs. A total of 133 countries were assessed for their innovative strength in 2024 using roughly 80 indicators and divided into innovation input and innovation output.

In recent years, Switzerland has consistently ranked first in terms of innovation output (e.g. number of patents, share of high-tech manufacturing, high-tech exports, global brand value, etc.). This underlines its ability to transform innovation inputs into tangible results, such as patents and intellectual property assets. To give you two details: The country ranks 1st in the number of new patent applications relative to GDP. And more than 70% of all manufacturing in Switzerland is high-tech, putting it in second place for this indicator. Reflecting its digital creativity and technological contributions, the country also ranks first in the number of commits on the global open source development platform GitHub.

On innovation inputs (e.g. expenditure on education; number of graduates in science and engineering; gross expenditure on R&D; etc), Switzerland in 2024 has improved its position to second place, after ranking third in 2023 and 2022. The R&D environment is one of the strongest globally, characterized by a high concentration of researchers and significant investments in scientific exploration. The country ranks 7th in gross R&D expenditure, contributing to cutting-edge advancements, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Notably, the country has 5,999 researchers per million inhabitants, ranking 11th globally, further demonstrating its focus on high-level research activities.

With three universities in the Top 100 QS ranking, the educational system plays a critical role in developing talent and fostering innovation. A hallmark of Switzerland’s system is the strong collaboration between universities and industries. The country ranks 1st in university-industry R&D collaboration, indicating a seamless partnership between academia and the private sector, which accelerates the commercialization of innovations.

In conclusion, Switzerland's 14-year reign at the top of the Global Innovation Index is a testament to its enduring commitment to fostering innovation across all sectors. The country's blend of world-class research institutions, robust private sector engagement, and supportive government policies creates a unique ecosystem that continually pushes the boundaries of innovation. While there is room for improvement in areas such as labor productivity growth and high-tech imports, these challenges present opportunities for further advancement. Switzerland's proven ability to adapt and innovate positions it well to address these areas, ensuring its continued leadership in the global innovation landscape for years to come.