Doha: Qatar has been ranked 48th in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), published by WIPO, highlighting the country's ongoing commitment to nurturing innovation, research, and development as crucial components of its transformation into a knowledge-based economy.
According to Qatar News Agency, over the past six years, Qatar has risen from 70th to 48th in the GII index, marking a significant climb of 22 spots and demonstrating the nation's dedication to fostering innovation. Eng. Omar Al Ansari, Secretary General of the QRDI Council, remarked that this achievement underscores Qatar's readiness to lead in a rapidly changing global economy and affirms the effectiveness of the country's national innovation efforts.
Nejoud Al-Jehani, Executive Director of Strategy and Programs at the QRDI Council, emphasized that the comprehensive implementation of innovation programs and policy levers outlined in the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) will not only maintain but also enhance Qatar's innovation standing and global ranking. These efforts aim to embed innovation, research, and talent at the core of Qatar's national agenda, boosting its competitiveness and solidifying its leadership in future knowledge economies.
Ahmed Khalid Al-Sumaiti, Director of the International Indicators and International Cooperation Department at the National Planning Council, noted Qatar's progress in the Global Innovation Index, supported by improvements in various sub-indicators, including Institutions, Human Capital and Research, Infrastructure, Market Development, and Creative Outputs.
The Global Innovation Index evaluates economies based on seven pillars: Institutions, Human Capital and Research, Infrastructure, Market Sophistication, Business Sophistication, Knowledge and Technology Outputs, and Creative Outputs. Qatar ranks within the global top 20 across 13 individual indicators, reflecting the strength of its innovation ecosystem.
Qatar's most significant improvement was observed in the Infrastructure pillar, where it climbed 25 places. Notably, Qatar ranks 1st worldwide in the General Infrastructure sub-pillar, highlighting the robustness of its developmental and logistical foundations. In the ICT sub-pillar, Qatar ranks 7th globally in ICT Access and 6th in ICT Use, showcasing strong digital connectivity and widespread adoption of information and communication technologies.
In the Institutions pillar, Qatar improved to 17th globally, supported by policy stability, now ranked 8th globally. The Business Environment sub-pillar sees Qatar at 13th, with Policy Stability for Doing Business at 8th, reflecting a supportive environment for innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
In Human Capital and Research, Qatar advanced four places, with tertiary education now among the global top 10. The rise of STEM graduates and improvements in higher education institutions, such as Qatar University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, further illustrate this progress.
In the Market Sophistication pillar, Qatar advanced 11 places, driven by investment improvements and increased domestic credit for the private sector. Qatar's position in the GII amid regional and global competition underscores its ability to create a resilient innovation ecosystem that fosters science, technology, and entrepreneurship.