Pakistan regains innovation overperformer status in 2026

WIPO’s index places Pakistan 95th of 139 economies, restoring overperformer status as digital strengths lift outputs ahead of inputs.

Pakistan ranked 95th of 139 economies in WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2026, up from 99th in 2025.

It regained “overperformer” status for a fourth time, also held in 2022 and 2024.

Innovation outputs ranked 72nd and inputs 121st — both better than last year.

Strengths cited include mobile apps, ICT services exports, high-tech imports and software spending.

Among peers, Pakistan was 15th of 36 lower-middle-income economies and eighth of 11 in central and southern Asia.

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