SINGAPORE remains top of the list for innovation among Asian economies in the 2019 Global Innovation Index . Globally, however, it slipped three notches from last year to place eighth due to poorer results in innovation input.
Among other criteria, the report noted that Singapore performed relatively weaker when it came to e-participation, information and communications technology use, and environmental certificates that meet international standards. It also lost several ranks in the areas of females employed with advanced degrees, foreign direct investment inflows and intellectual property payments.
Meanwhile, Switzerland – which ranked first globally since 2011– took the top spot again this year, followed by Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This year also saw Israel entering the top 10 for the first time where it achieved notable results in mobile app creation and patent families.