Asian countries are making their presence felt in the innovation space, and stamping their marks among the traditional global giants. In the latest Global Innovation Index 2025 (GII 2025) released on 16 September 2025, three Asian countries are in the global top 10 list. South Korea is ranked fourth; Singapore, fifth; and China, 10th. Other high-ranking Asian countries include Japan (12th), and Hong Kong (15th).
Switzerland tops the latest edition of GII, maintaining its apex position for the 15th consecutive year. Sweden and the US retain their second and third spots, for the third year in a row. South Korea climbs to fourth place – its highest position to date – while Singapore slips one place to fifth.
The next five countries on the list are, consecutively, the UK (sixth); Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China – which enters the top 10 list for the first time.
The GII uses some 80 indicators, ranging from research and development (R&D) spending, venture capital (VC) deals, high-tech exports and intellectual property (IP) filings to evaluate nearly 140 world economies on their innovative performance. Published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), its ranking is based on two broad areas consisting of innovation inputs and innovation outputs.
The GII, now in its 18th edition, shows that a group of middle-income economies, led by China (10th), India (38th), Türkiye (43rd), Vietnam (44th), the Philippines (50th), Indonesia (55th), and Morocco (57th), continues the climb in the Index, establishing itself as the fastest innovation climbers.
“GII 2025 maps the contours of innovation across the world, showing us that the fastest-advancing economies in the GII are those that view innovation as a fundamental engine of resilience, growth and competitiveness,” said WIPO Director General Daren Tang.
“This year’s GII reveals both encouraging progress as well as challenges that still need to be addressed, for countries to fully harness their innovation potential. It is a reminder that innovation ecosystems require support and nurturing through thoughtful policies, meaningful investments and cross-sector collaboration,” he added.
The Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania (SEAO) region remains a driving force in global innovation in 2025, with six economies ranked among the top 25. South Korea (fourth) and Singapore (fifth) continue to lead the region, each with strong performances in business R&D, education and innovation infrastructure.
China (10th) maintains its lead among middle-income economies globally, and shows continued strength in R&D spending, high-tech exports and innovation outputs. Japan (12th) and Hong Kong (15th) both gain ground, while Australia (22nd) gains one position.
Nine of the 17 SEAO economies in the study have improved their rankings in 2025, with Hong Kong (15th), the Philippines (50th), Cambodia (100th) and Myanmar (122nd) making the greatest advances.
The Philippines breaks into the top 50 and ranks third among lower middle-income economies, fuelled by the booming high-tech trade – deep integration in global value chains – and growing creative industries. Cambodia emerges as a leader in financial inclusion, topping global rankings in microfinance loans, and ranking second in overall credit. Strong foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and capital formation signal accelerating investment momentum. Laos (109th) also improves its position.
With an increasing concentration of innovation clusters – China alone hosts 24 of the world’s top 100 – SEAO remains central to global innovation dynamics.
A global fifth place in GII 2025 puts Singapore in second place in the SEAO region.
Singapore tops the most indicators globally – the second year it has done so – securing first place for 10 out of the 78 GII indicators. It continues to hold the top spot for the institutions pillar, while maintaining second position in the human capital and research pillar, and third place in the business sophistication pillar. More specifically, top-ranked indicators for Singapore include government effectiveness, policy stability for doing business, and FDI net inflows, all of which affirm its reputation as a key global business hub.
Singapore rises two spots (to ninth place) in innovation outputs – its highest ranking in over a decade, advanced two positions (to seventh) in the knowledge and technology outputs pillar, and four positions (to 15th) in the creative outputs pillar. This improvement is 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.
Want to know how Singapore fares in other rankings? Check out these CA Lab articles:
Singapore Stands Tall In Global Rankings
Singapore Passport Remains World’s Most Powerful
Best Cities In Asia Pacific
Singapore Retains Global Top Position In Global Governance
Asia: Global Innovation Hub
Singapore Is Global Third Happiest City
Top 10 Countries To Relocate For Work
Singapore: Least Corrupt Nation In Asia Pacific
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