China replaces Germany in top 10 of UN's most innovative nations
China reached 10th place in the Global Innovation Index, contributing about 25% of international patent applications and increasing R&D investment, while Germany fell to 11th.
- On Tuesday, the Global Innovation Index showed Germany ranked 11th this year, as China entered the top ten by boosting research and development investment.
- Patent data shows China accounts for about a quarter of international patent applications in 2024, while the United States, Japan and Germany, making up 40%, recorded slight declines as Beijing's firms ramp up R&D investment.
- The GII notes Germany still leads in efficiency, scientific output and large-company R&D but ranks 48th in mobile app creation and 56th out of 130 in education spending.
- GII editors cautioned that Germany should not be alarmed as rankings omit tariff impacts, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz prioritizes economic growth despite Merz's Union party slowing e-mobility.
- The wider ranking shows Switzerland remained in first place since 2011, with patent ownership as a key indicator and Germany slipped outside the top ten, highlighting rising competition.
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China is in the top ten most innovative economies for the first time, a recent report shows. Germany is falling out of the top 10 for the first time, and Austria is also slipping away.
In the UN innovation ranking, Germany is in eleventh place and is now behind China. The UN Intellectual Property Organization warns against declining innovation in research and innovation worldwide.
China bumps Germany off the top 10 list of most innovative nations
China moved into the top 10 of the United Nations’ annual ranking of most innovative countries for the first time Tuesday, replacing Europe’s largest economy, Germany, as firms in Beijing invest heavily in research and development.

Germany is losing ground in terms of innovative strength in an international comparison. What is the biggest challenge?
China replaces Germany in top 10 of UN's most innovative nations
China moved into the top 10 of the United Nations' annual ranking of most innovative countries for the first time on Tuesday, replacing Europe's largest economy, Germany, as firms in Beijing invest heavily in research and development.
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