Since 2008, Cornell University, INSEAD business school, and the World Intellectual Property Organization have released the annual Global Innovation Index.

It's essentially a ranking of the most innovative countries in the world.  Each year, the GII surveys some 130 economies using dozens of metrics, from patent filings to education spending providing decision makers a high-level look at the innovative activity that increasingly drives economic and social growth. In a new feature for the GII, a special section looks at "invention hotspots" around the globe that show the highest density of inventors listed in international patent applications.

This year's winners are no strangers to the top of the list, dominating in seven general categories: research, infrastructure, institutions, market and business sophistication, and a commitment to knowledge and creativity.

The most innovative countries teach creatively, enforce progressive laws, do business intelligently, and live on the cutting edge.
This year the world's most-innovative countries are Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the USA and the UK.
All Scandinavian countries ranked high in the ranking: 6th place is held by Denmark, with Finland on 8th place and Norway on 19th.
Poland is ranked 38th.

Read the full report: www.globalinnovationindex.org

Source:  nordic.businessinsider.com
Graphics: wipo.int