The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released its new Innovation Capabilities Outlook 2026, offering fresh insights into how countries can better harness their strengths in science, technology, entrepreneurship, and production to drive innovation. Developed in collaboration with Harvard University’s Growth Lab, the report draws on 2.5 billion data points to map over 2,500 innovation capabilities across 193 countries.
One of the key findings is that only around 10% of countries are fully leveraging their technological potential. The report emphasises that innovation success depends not on isolated strengths, but on how effectively different capabilities are connected. Countries that integrate scientific research, technological development, entrepreneurial activity, and production capacity tend to outperform those with fragmented systems.
The analysis also reveals significant untapped potential: by better utilising existing capabilities, countries could increase technological outputs by up to 26%, entrepreneurial innovation by 15%, and scientific discoveries by 12% annually. However, developing advanced capabilities—particularly in patent-intensive technologies—remains a challenge, with fewer than 5% of countries reaching this level.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the report provides a strategic framework to help policymakers identify the most promising innovation pathways based on their national strengths, supporting more targeted and effective innovation policies.
Access the Innovation Capabilities Outlook 2026.