Saudi Arabia has climbed to 46th place in the latest Global Innovation Index, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing focus on research and technology. Moreover, the country’s steady rise shows a continued commitment to becoming a regional hub for innovation.
Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia improved from 66th to 46th, demonstrating sustained progress in multiple areas. In addition, the Kingdom ranks 40th among high-income economies, highlighting advancements in market sophistication, policy stability, and university-industry collaboration.
The report emphasized that innovation performance across the Middle East is gaining ground. The UAE reached 30th place, while Qatar ranked 48th. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Qatar scored high on input factors, ranking 31st and 34th, respectively, due to strengths in market systems, stable policies, and research collaboration.
Saudi Arabia achieved notable positions in several key areas. For instance, it ranked 5th for a business-friendly environment and 12th for policy stability. In human capital and research, the Kingdom reached 35th, while infrastructure stood at 36th. These improvements indicate that Saudi Arabia is steadily building a supportive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, recent reports highlighted the Kingdom’s remarkable progress in intellectual property. Scores in the Global Intellectual Property Index increased by 17.5 percent, positioning Saudi Arabia among the fastest-growing economies globally. Similarly, Riyadh jumped 60 places in the Startup Genome list of top emerging ecosystems, reaching 23rd place. This growth underscores Saudi Arabia’s ability to nurture startups and attract international talent.
The Global Innovation Index also recognized Qatar for strong performance in international talent and technology adoption. In comparison, other Middle East and North Africa countries ranked lower, with Morocco at 57th, Bahrain 62nd, Jordan 65th, and Kuwait 73rd. Globally, Switzerland led the ranking, followed by Sweden, the US, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China.
Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, stated that innovation remains a key driver of growth, resilience, and competitiveness. He added that the latest report shows encouraging progress but also highlights areas where countries must act to maximize their innovation potential.
Saudi Arabia’s climb in the Global Innovation Index demonstrates the country’s dedication to fostering research, technology, and entrepreneurship. Moreover, it positions the Kingdom as a regional leader in innovation, supporting sustainable economic growth. By investing in education, infrastructure, and business-friendly policies, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its innovation ecosystem.
In summary, Saudi Arabia improved to 46th place in the Global Innovation Index. The country advanced in research, technology, and business support, showing strong regional leadership.
