PH climbs 3 notches in Global Innovation Index —NEDA

The Philippines saw a three-notch climb in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), surpassing the government’s target rank for this year, amid concerted efforts to advance and strengthen innovation as a key driver of progress, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced Friday.

In a statement, the NEDA said the country ranked 53rd out of 133 economies in this year’s GII, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), from 56th place in 2023.

The socioeconomic planning agency said the country’s rank surpassed the government’s target of 54th place for 2024 as set in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.

The WIPO also recognized the Philippines for ranking third among 38 lower-middle-income economies, following India and Vietnam. 

Additionally, the country maintained its fifth place among ASEAN members and was acknowledged as one of the middle-income economies that have made the most significant ranking improvements since 2013.

“This advancement clearly reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and enhancing our competitiveness in both domestic and global markets. Our focus remains on making innovation a key driver of sustainable economic growth that benefits every Filipino,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Despite a slight decline in the Innovation Outputs sub-index (from 52nd to 53rd), the Philippines continues to excel in advanced technology sectors. 

Notably, the country ranks first globally in high-tech exports as a percentage of total trade, particularly in computers, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery. 

The Philippines ranks 14th in creative goods, which encompass design, fashion, and film, and 19th in exports of ICT services. 

Moreover, the country holds the 34th position in global brand value and 35th in intangible asset intensity, underscoring its growing presence in global markets.

In the Innovation Inputs sub-index, the Philippines improved its ranking to 67th place from 69th in 2023, driven by strong performances across various areas. 

Highlighting its expanding economic potential, the country ranks 4th globally in high-tech imports as a percentage of total trade, 32nd in energy efficiency (measured as GDP per unit of energy use), and 28th in domestic market scale.

However, the NEDA said the Philippines must continue to invest in research and development (R&D), human capital, and digital infrastructure to tackle persistent challenges that could impede its sustained progress. 

The agency said the challenges include Human Capital and Research, where the country ranks 86th in the number of researchers per million population and 108th in the pupil-teacher ratio for secondary education. 

In terms of Infrastructure, the Philippines is ranked 105th in ICT access, and in Knowledge Creation, it holds the 94th spot for PCT patents.

The GII, published annually by WIPO, evaluates the innovation capabilities and performance of 133 economies worldwide. 

With the theme “Innovation in the Face of Uncertainty,” this year’s GII highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability as economies navigate global challenges.—LDF, GMA Integrated News