2026 Global Innovation Index: Switzerland first, US third, UAE enters top 25
The 2026 Global Innovation Index from WIPO ranks 139 economies. Switzerland stays first and the US third, while the UAE rises to 25th. Outlets read the results through the US under Trump and the UAE's progress.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a UN agency, has published the 2026 Global Innovation Index, which ranks 139 economies. Gulf NewsN “The UAE ranked 25th among 139 economies in the index compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)” Read at Gulf News ↗ Hindustan TimesN “It ranks 139 economies based on 79 indicators” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 1Switzerland is first, as it has been every year since 2011, and the United States remains third, the rank it has held since 2023, according to The Economist piece carried by Hindustan Times. Hindustan TimesN “Overall America remains third, the rank it has held since 2023.”“Switzerland is still first, just as it was last year and every other year since 2011.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 1The Economist says the effect of President Donald Trump's policies on US innovation is hard to track and that some of the data is too old to capture it. It lists his support for semiconductors, AI, data centres and the Genius Act on stablecoins against attacks on leading universities, restrictions on high-skilled immigration and cuts to research funding. Hindustan TimesN “The overall effect on American ingenuity is hard to track.”“But Mr Trump has also attacked” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Centre · 1Beneath the stable top ranking, the US is capturing a bigger share of late-stage venture-capital deals, but its innovation gap with fourth-placed South Korea has narrowed. Its rank on a business political, legal and operational risk measure fell from 23rd to 36th. Hindustan TimesN “America is capturing a bigger share of the world’s late-stage venture-capital deals, for example.”“Last year America ranked 23rd on this measure. This year it fell to 36th.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 1The US has the most deep-science startups at 12,752, but China's total of 3,466 in 2025 is more than double its level five years earlier. Hindustan TimesN “America currently has the largest number of deep-science startups: 12,752”“Its contingent of 3,466 in 2025 is more than twice as big as it was five years before.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 1Saudi Arabia has climbed from 68th in 2019 to 42nd, which The Economist credits to a bureaucratic overhaul; its institutions ranking went from 104th to 25th. Hindustan TimesN “Saudi Arabia’s position has improved from 68th in 2019 to 42nd this year.”“Its institutions ranked 104th on the index in 2019; they now rank 25th.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Centre · 1Gulf News reports that the UAE entered the top 25 for the first time, rising five places from 30th in 2025 to 25th. Gulf NewsN “The UAE has entered the world’s 25 most innovative economies for the first time, climbing five places in the 2026 Global Innovation Index” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1It says the UAE ranked first globally in four indicators, including entrepreneurship policies and culture, attracting international students, and financing for start-ups and scale-ups. It was 12th for innovation inputs, up from 14th, and its output ranking rose five places. Gulf NewsN “The country ranked first globally in four indicators: entrepreneurship policies and culture, attracting international students, financing for start-ups and scale-ups”“Its ranking for innovation inputs improved to 12th globally from 14th in 2025, while its innovation-output ranking advanced five places.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Other UAE figures cited include UAE brands worth about $101.66 billion among the world's top 5,000 (up 15 per cent) and high-tech exports of about $68.05 billion in 2024 (up 36.35 per cent). Gulf NewsN “The combined value of UAE brands included among the world’s top 5,000 reached about $101.66 billion in 2026, an increase of 15 per cent from 2025.”“an increase of 36.35 per cent from the previous year.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1Economy and Tourism Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the rise reflected the UAE's institutional, human and technological capabilities and supports its We the UAE 2031 vision. Gulf NewsN “He said the five-place rise reflected the UAE’s institutional, human and technological capabilities and its continued investment in knowledge and technology.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1The 2026 edition focuses on helping entrepreneurs in advanced science and technology turn discoveries into scalable businesses, in areas such as AI, biotechnology, advanced materials, semiconductors and clean energy. Gulf NewsN “Its 2026 edition focuses on enabling entrepreneurs in advanced science and technology to turn scientific discoveries into scalable businesses with broad economic impact” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Two centre outlets read the same index differently: Hindustan Times (an Economist piece) asks whether Trump is hurting US innovation, while Gulf News celebrates the UAE's first top-25 entry.
- Emphasis
- US stability at third with weakening risk and competition signals; UAE indicator-by-indicator gains and ministerial comment.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gulf News does not mention the US or top-ranked economies; the Economist piece does not mention the UAE.
- Charged language
- “war on science”“Uncle Sam”
- For example
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“Will Donald Trump hurt America’s ranking?” — Hindustan Times
“The UAE has entered the world’s 25 most innovative economies for the first time” — Gulf News
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- WIPO's 2026 Global Innovation Index ranks 139 economies.
- Both outlets describe the index as an annual WIPO publication covering many indicators.
United Arab Emirates place
The UAE presents its rise to 25th as evidence of its innovation-friendly environment, through Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
“the country had made significant progress in creating a business environment that encourages innovation” — Gulf News
Donald Trump person
The Economist cites Trump's pro-AI and chip push, with the quote "Whoever wins AI, WINS!", against his curbs on universities, immigration and research funding.
““Whoever wins AI, WINS!”” — Hindustan Times
World Intellectual Property Organization organisation
WIPO publishes the index annually; the 2026 edition focuses on turning advanced science into scalable businesses.
“WIPO, a specialised United Nations agency, publishes the Global Innovation Index annually” — Gulf News
South Asia1 outlet
Hindustan Times carries an Economist piece centred on the US and Trump.
“Will Donald Trump hurt America’s ranking?” — Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Middle East1 outlet
Gulf News focuses on the UAE's national achievement.
“climbing five places in the 2026 Global Innovation Index” — Gulf News
Gulf News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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The most innovative countries in the world
Mixed Analytical Economist piece weighing Trump's record against the index, noting US stability alongside slipping indicators and China's rise.
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UAE breaks into world’s top 25 most innovative economies for first time
Celebratory Reports the UAE's record rise with detailed rankings and ministerial praise, with no critical voices.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 4 Oct 09:41 First Hindustan TimesN The most innovative countries in the world
- 5 Oct 08:52 +23h 11m Gulf NewsN UAE breaks into world’s top 25 most innovative economies for first time
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.