Ireland Rises to 14th Place in 2025 Global Innovation Index

Ireland has made significant strides in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), securing the 14th position among nearly 140 countries. This marks an improvement from the previous year, when the country ranked 19th, and a notable rise from 23rd in 2023. In 2015, Ireland had reached as high as 8th place, showcasing its fluctuating innovation landscape over the past decade.

The GII is published annually by the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization and assesses the innovation capabilities of countries based on various criteria, including human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication, and business environment. This year, Ireland excelled particularly in the institutional and business environment categories, where it ranked 10th, while its score in human capital and research fell to 24th.

Despite the positive trajectory, the report highlights a concerning trend in venture capital activity. Over the last four years, the number of venture capital deals in Ireland decreased by 1.9%. In contrast, there was a slight recovery in the short term, with a growth of 1.7% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a mixed outlook for investment in innovation.

The top positions in this year’s GII were held by Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States, with Switzerland maintaining its status as the leader in innovation for several consecutive years.

Government Response and Future Initiatives

James Lawless, TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, expressed satisfaction with Ireland’s progress in the GII. He emphasized the necessity for continued improvement to enhance national competitiveness and address broader policy objectives.

Minister Lawless stated, “At the same time, we clearly need to continue to improve this performance in the interests of our national competitiveness and wider policy objectives. This is a time globally when Ireland needs to play to its strengths more than ever – and talent and innovation are our most important assets.”

To bolster its innovation performance, Ireland has launched a new Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity. This initiative aims to increase investment in the public research system, boost foreign direct investment, and scale more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, it intends to enhance Ireland’s infrastructure capabilities to meet growing demands.

“The Action Plan rightly places research and innovation at the heart of Ireland’s future competitiveness and productivity,” Minister Lawless added, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering a more robust innovation ecosystem.

As Ireland navigates the complexities of the global innovation landscape, the government’s focus on enhancing talent and supporting research initiatives will be crucial in maintaining and improving the country’s standing in future iterations of the Global Innovation Index.

For those interested in keeping up with the latest developments in technology and innovation, subscribing to daily updates can provide essential insights.