Global Innovation Index 2026: Philippines and Bhutan rankings

The 2026 Global Innovation Index (GII) released by the World Intellectual Property Organization shows varying results for Bhutan and the Philippines.

Bhutan ranked 74th out of 139 economies, an improvement from its 96th position in 2016. The country demonstrates significant strengths in creative output, ranking first globally for feature films produced per million population, and ranks second globally for low-carbon energy use. However, officials noted a gap in converting these inputs into economic results, citing low rankings in business sophistication and knowledge and technology outputs.

The Philippines ranked 52nd out of 139 economies. While it dropped two positions from its 2025 ranking, its overall score increased from 33.6 to 33.8. The country has maintained its status as an innovation overperformer for eight consecutive years. Notable strengths for the Philippines include ranking 4th in high-tech exports and 6th in high-tech imports. The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 aims to reach a top 43rd rank by 2028.