You are currently viewing Saudi Arabia Rises to 46th in Global Innovation Index 2025, Strengthening Vision 2030 Goals

Saudi Arabia Rises to 46th in Global Innovation Index 2025, Strengthening Vision 2030 Goals

Prime Highlight

  • Saudi Arabia has climbed to 46th place in the Global Innovation Index 2025, improving from 66th in 2021 and 47th in 2024.
  • The Kingdom’s progress reflects Vision 2030 goals, with a focus on research, technology, entrepreneurship, and opportunities for women leaders.

Key Facts

  • Saudi Arabia ranks 5th globally in business-friendly environmentand 12th in policy stability, while also securing 35th in human capital & research and 36th in infrastructure.
  • Riyadh was ranked 23rd among the top 100 emerging startup ecosystemsby Startup Genome, after a 60-place jump in just three years.

Background

Saudi Arabia has surged to position 46th in the Global Innovation Index 2025, another stride towards becoming a regional research, technology, and entrepreneurial center. The recent report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the UN demonstrates how the Kingdom has been steadily improving, from 66th place in 2021 to 47th last year.

The report noted that Saudi Arabia has a strong performance in establishing a friendly business environment and is ranked 5th in the world in terms of business-friendly environment and 12th in terms of policy stability. The Kingdom also achieved 35th position in human capital and research and 36th position in infrastructure, an indication of advancement in the education and research sector as well as digital capacity.

Among high-income economies, Saudi Arabia ranked 40th out of 51, driven by stronger collaboration between universities and industries and steady policy reforms. The report noted that innovation performance in the Middle East is “gaining ground,” with the UAE rising to 30th place and Qatar placed at 48th.

The Kingdom’s innovation journey is also reflected in other reports. In April, the US Chamber of Commerce said Saudi Arabia improved its Intellectual Property Index score by 17.5%, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in IP protection. In June, Startup Genome ranked Riyadh 23rd among the top 100 emerging ecosystems, after a jump of 60 places in three years.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang said the 2025 index shows that economies advancing fastest are those that treat innovation as central to resilience and growth.

Globally, Switzerland, Sweden, and the US led the rankings, followed by South Korea, Singapore, and the UK. In MENA, Morocco stood at 57th, Bahrain at 62nd, Jordan at 65th, and Kuwait at 73rd.

Saudi Arabia’s progress is seen as part of its wider Vision 2030 goals, with growing opportunities for women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to play a central role in shaping the Kingdom’s knowledge economy.