Islamabad: Pakistan climbed four places to rank 95th among 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2026 and regained its status as an innovation “overperformer”, as per the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
The country improved from 99th place in 2025. It ranked 15th among 36 lower middle income economies and eighth among 11 economies in Central and Southern Asia.
What does ‘overperformer’ mean?
The designation means Pakistan produced stronger innovation results than expected for its level of economic development. It does not mean the country ranks among the world’s leading innovation economies.
WIPO identified Pakistan’s strengths in mobile app creation, information and communications technology services exports, high tech imports and software spending. Scientific publications and university quality also supported its developing digital economy.
Results stronger than supporting resources
Pakistan ranked 121st for innovation inputs and 72nd for innovation outputs, improving in both categories compared with last year.
Innovation inputs are the conditions and resources that help people develop ideas, including education, research, infrastructure and financing. Outputs are the results, such as technologies, knowledge and creative products.
In practical terms, Pakistan performed better in the results it generated than in the resources and systems available to support innovation.
The country’s ranking has fluctuated in recent years. It stood at 107th in 2020, improved to 87th in 2022 and fell to 99th in 2025 before recovering to 95th this year.
Switzerland remains first
Switzerland retained the top position for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Sweden and the United States (US). South Korea and Singapore ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
China remained 10th and was the only middle income economy among the top 25 innovation leaders.
Globally, the report recorded continued but slower progress in innovation. Scientific output, corporate research and development, and technology adoption improved, although around three quarters of the indicators tracked remained below their average pace over the preceding decade.
WIPO said emerging economies, including Pakistan, could strengthen their overall performance by building on areas where they already demonstrated particular strengths.
