Philippines Climbs in Global Innovation Index, Surpasses Target

The Philippines moved up three places to 53rd out of 133 economies in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), surpassing its 2024 goal of 54th, as set in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.

The ranking, announced by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), showcases the country’s commitment to enhancing innovation as a key driver of economic progress.

“This advancement clearly reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and enhancing our competitiveness in both domestic and global markets,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“Our focus remains on making innovation a key driver of sustainable economic growth that benefits every Filipino,” Balisacan said.

The Philippines was also recognized as third among 38 lower-middle-income economies, behind India and Vietnam, and retained its fifth-place position among ASEAN members.

Since 2013, it has shown consistent improvement in innovation rankings, becoming one of the middle-income economies with the most significant gains.

While the country saw a slight drop in its Innovation Outputs sub-index, moving from 52nd to 53rd, it continues to lead in advanced technology sectors.

The Philippines ranked first globally in high-tech exports as a percentage of total trade, particularly excelling in computers, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery. The country also secured the 14th spot in creative goods exports and ranked 19th in information and communication technology (ICT) services exports.

In the Innovation Inputs sub-index, the country moved up two spots to 67th, driven by improvements in high-tech imports, where it ranked fourth globally, and in energy efficiency, at 32nd.

However, challenges remain, particularly in human capital development and digital infrastructure.

The country ranks 86th in the number of researchers per million population, 105th in ICT access, and 108th in the pupil-teacher ratio in secondary education.

To address these gaps, the National Innovation Council (NIC), chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is implementing the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) 2023-2032.

This includes a PHP 100 million Innovation Fund to support projects across priority areas, alongside hosting National and Regional Innovation Awards in 2025.

Studies on policy reforms, scholarships, innovation infrastructure, and emerging technologies are also underway.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is leading several key initiatives, such as the Research and Development Leadership (RDLead) Program and the TECHNiCOM Program to enhance research capabilities and support innovation commercialization.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) also provides assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in securing patents and trademarks.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is promoting innovation within the creative sector through its “Malikhaing Pinoy” program, which supports Filipino talents in design, fashion, and the arts.

“With these ongoing efforts, we are well-positioned to further strengthen our global standing and contribute to our goal of a smart and innovative Philippines,” Balisacan added.

The GII, published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), measures the innovation performance of 133 economies, with the theme of 2024 being “Innovation in the Face of Uncertainty.”

Read the full report: https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/philippines