Global Innovation Efficiency Index: Top 10 nations

The Global Innovation Efficiency Index shows which countries are best in transforming given innovation inputs into outstanding outputs.

Countries which are strong in producing innovation outputs despite a weaker innovation environment and innovation inputs are poised to rank high in this "efficiency" index.

In the Global Innovation Efficiency Index, China and India lead the top 10 league of countries.

The Global Innovation Index (GII) project was launched by INSEAD in 2007 with the goal of determining how to find metrics and approaches to better capture the richness of innovation in society.

Click NEXT to see the top 10 nations in the Global Innovation Efficiency Index...

1. China
Efficiency score: 1.13
GDP per capita (PPP): $8394.1

China scores high on knowledge and technology outputs (for which its score is above the average score of the GII top 10), and in Infrastructure and Market and Business sophistication.

Areas where improvements would be conducive to higher aggregate GII rankings include institutions, human capital and research and creative outputs.

The Innovation input sub-index gauges elements of the national economy which embodies innovative activities grouped in five pillars: (1) Institutions, (2) Human capital and research, (3) Infrastructure, (4) Market sophistication, and (5) Business sophistication.

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2. India

Efficiency score: 1.10
GDP per capita (PPP): $3703. 5

With one of the most business-friendly communities being that of the ICT sector - India ranks 4th in computer and communication services exports, at 70.5 per cent of commercial services exports - its 108th and 117th positions in ICT access and use, respectively, reflect the existence of pockets of wealth developing around niche markets and clusters (the software industry in this case), with little trickle down to the rest of society.

The inverted progression in the ranking in Human capital and research, with a ranking of 113th in elementary education, 135th in tertiary education, and 55th in R&D is symptomatic of the same phenomenon.

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3. Republic of Moldova

Efficiency score: 1.08
GDP per capita (PPP): $3383

The Republic of Moldova is ranked 50th (48th among GII 2011 countries), down from 39th in 2011. Moldova has a relative advantage in innovation outputs (30th, 1st among lower-middleincome economies), ranking 3rd in efficiency, with relative strengths on four intellectual property (IP) indicators: patent and utility model applications at the domestic level.

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4. Malta

Efficiency score: 1.03
GDP per capita (PPP): $25,782.7

The EU12 group is led by high income countries Malta, followed by Estonia in the top 20.

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5. Switzerland

Efficiency score: 1.01
GDP per capita (PPP): 43,508.6

While Switzerland ranks first in the Global Innovation Index, it is at the fifth position in the Global Innovation Efficiency Index. It scores high on knowledge and technology outputs. It also has a sound infrastructure system in place.

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6. Paraguay

Efficiency score: 0.94
GDP per capita (PPP): $5,548.9

Among the lower income countries, Paraguay ranks third in the Global Innovation Efficiency Index. 

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7. Serbia

Efficiency score: 0.93
GDP per capita (PPP): $10,661.3

Serbia leads the group of innovation learners. The country also scores high in the Output Sub-Index.

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8. Estonia

Efficiency score: 0.93
GDP per capita (PPP): 20,182.1

Estonia is ranked 19th in the overall Global Innovation Index.

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9. The Netherlands

Efficiency score: 0.92
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 42,330.7

The Netherlands also figures among the top 10 nations in the overall Global Inoovation Index. The Netherlands ranks 6th, up from 9th in 2011, and with a clear relative advantage in outputs.

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10. Sri Lanka

Efficiency score: 0.92
GDP per capita (PPP): $5,609.4

While Sri Lanka is ranked 10th in the Global Innovation Efficiency Index, it is ranked at 94 in the overall Global Innovation Index.