Azerbaijan Advances 9 Places in the Global Innovation Index
According to the Global Innovation Index 2026 published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Azerbaijan ranks 85th among 139 countries, advancing nine places compared to 2025.
This result represents Azerbaijan’s highest ranking over the past five years. A comparison of the positions of countries included in both the 2025 and 2026 rankings shows that Azerbaijan’s nine-place rise is among the largest improvements recorded this year. Azerbaijan shares the second-highest annual increase in the ranking. A larger increase was recorded only for Kuwait, which moved up 11 places from 73rd to 62nd. Azerbaijan rose from 94th to 85th, while Venezuela advanced from 136th to 127th, with both countries improving by nine places.
One of Azerbaijan’s most significant improvements was recorded in the “University–Industry Collaboration and Cluster Development” criterion. In this area, Azerbaijan advanced from 36th to 5th place, while its ranking for the level of cluster development improved from 30th to 4th place. Another notable improvement was recorded in the “Infrastructure, Market Sophistication and Institutions” criterion. Azerbaijan advanced 18 places in infrastructure, rising from 105th to 87th. Its ranking in market sophistication improved from 72nd to 63rd, while its ranking in institutions rose from 41st to 36th. At the same time, under the “Business Sophistication” criterion, Azerbaijan moved up from 111th place in 2025 to 91st place in 2026.
The significant improvement in Azerbaijan’s performance in the Global Innovation Index reflects the effective and targeted policies implemented to promote innovation in the country. This progress also reaffirms the relevance of the priorities identified for Azerbaijan’s next stage of development. In particular, priorities related to the development of the innovation ecosystem and the transition to an innovation-driven economy are also reflected in the “Action Plan for 2026–2028 on Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan.” Activities implemented in line with the priorities set out in the Plan establish a strategic framework for further improving Azerbaijan’s position in international innovation rankings.
