Singapore has been ranked fifth among 139 economies in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), marking its third consecutive year in the top five, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The city-state was also placed second in the South-east Asia, East Asia and Oceania region. This is the second year Singapore has secured the highest number of top-ranked indicators globally, achieving first place in 10 out of 78 indicators tracked in the index.

Strong performance in innovation inputs

The GII evaluates countries across two areas: innovation inputs – such as institutions, human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication and business sophistication – and innovation outputs, which include knowledge, technology and creative outputs.

Singapore retained its top position in innovation inputs for the 15th consecutive year. Within this category, it led in institutions, ranked second in human capital and research, and third in business sophistication. Key strengths included government effectiveness, policy stability for business, and foreign direct investment inflows.

Gains in innovation outputs

Singapore rose two places to ninth in innovation outputs – its best showing in over a decade. It ranked seventh in knowledge and technology outputs and 15th in creative outputs, up from 19th last year.

The improvement was driven by high-tech manufacturing, rising unicorn valuations, and stronger cultural and creative exports. Singapore also gained ground in intangible asset intensity and brand value among leading firms.

This year’s index assessed 139 economies using 78 indicators from both public and private sources.

Regional and global context

Globally, the GII is regarded as a key benchmark of how countries develop and apply innovation to drive economic growth. In Asia, Singapore’s consistent performance places it alongside innovation leaders such as South Korea, Japan and China.

Mr Tan Kong Hwee, Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), said the results underscore the country’s long-term investment in innovation capacity.

“Singapore maintained its leading position in innovation inputs, but more significantly, we improved two positions to ninth in innovation outputs – our highest rank in over a decade. This indicates that we have enhanced our innovation capability to realise tangible benefit for the economy,” he said.

Mr Tan added that the findings would support future initiatives under the Singapore IP Strategy 2030.

Singapore’s continued progress in innovation outputs suggests further opportunities in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and creative industries. Policymakers are expected to build on the GII results as part of long-term economic planning.