Pakistan Climbs Global Innovation Index, Reclaims ‘Overperformer’ Status

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has ascended to 95th place among 139 economies in the ‘Global Innovation Index 2026’ released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on Thursday, marking a significant improvement from its previous rank of 99th in 2025.

This year, Pakistan has once again been recognized as an ‘overperformer’ for the fourth time, a designation awarded to economies that exceed expectations relative to their level of economic development. The country previously held this status in 2022 and 2024, demonstrating a consistent trend of innovation-driven growth.

The report highlights that Pakistan’s performance in innovation outputs has outstripped its inputs, with the country ranking 72nd in outputs compared to 121st in inputs. This suggests that Pakistan is effectively leveraging its existing resources to generate innovative results, a phenomenon noted in the report as indicative of the potential for economies to achieve more than anticipated based on their developmental status.

Looking ahead, the implications of this ranking are profound for Pakistan’s economic landscape, suggesting a growing recognition of its innovation capabilities. As the nation continues to build on its strengths, stakeholders are encouraged to foster an environment conducive to further innovation. Future initiatives and policies aimed at enhancing research and development will be crucial in maintaining this upward trajectory.