The most innovative economies in 2025 according to WIPO

WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2025 offers a contrasting picture of global innovation performance and highlights Canada’s position in a changing international context. While Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore dominate the rankings, Canada ranks 17th, maintaining its position among the most innovative advanced economies. 

The Index shows that innovation remains a key driver of competitiveness and economic resilience, but the global slowdown in investment is cause for concern. Global R&D growth fell to 2.9% in 2024 and is expected to decline to 2.3% in 2025, its lowest level since 2010. For a country like Canada, whose performance relies in part on the quality of its public research, the attractiveness of its talent, and its entrepreneurial ecosystem, this contraction represents a long-term risk. 

Canadian companies, in line with the global trend, have had to contend with persistent inflation and pressure on R&D budgets. Internationally, only certain sectors , such as ICT, generative AI, and pharmaceuticals, are maintaining investment growth, which is intensifying competition for strategic technology niches. Canada must therefore consolidate its investment strategies, particularly in emerging sectors, to remain competitive. 

Finally, the concentration of venture capital around the United States and AI-related technologies reduces opportunities for more diverse ecosystems such as Canada’s. Although technology adoption is progressing, the slowdown in funding and commercialization reinforces the need for sustained political and financial commitment to preserve the country’s position among the world leaders in innovation.

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