The Netherlands ranks 7th worldwide in the 2023 Global Innovation Index

Investing in innovation despite global challenges

Published every year by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), this year’s Global Innovation Index (GII) assesses the innovation capabilities of 132 economies against a backdrop of global strife and uncertainty. The 2023 report combined historical index data and analytical groundwork  looking at innovation actors and decision-makers to assess how these challenging times are influencing the rate of research and development into cutting-edge technology.

Here are the top 10 innovation leaders, according to the report:

The Netherlands ranks 7th most innovative world economy

The innovation ecosystem in the Netherlands is thriving as the country continues to boost research and development across multiple sectors. As the 5th most innovative economy in Europe, the GII 2023 highlighted several strengths of the Dutch economy that help fuel a healthy innovation ecosystem:

• Business environment: The Netherlands has spent years building a thriving startup ecosystem, attracting entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world. Favourable entrepreneurship policies and an open and collaborative culture help nurture the growth of innovative companies.

• Logistics performance: With its strategic location and high level of digital connectivity, the Netherlands has fostered an exceptional logistics sector acting as hub for global trade and supply chain activities. Continuous innovation and optimisation are encouraged by hubs like the City Logistics Innovation Campus (CLIC) which offer a collaborative testing ground for efficient and future-forward solutions.

• Access to financing for startups and scaleups: Access to funding is vital for the growth of startups and scaleups, especially in an era of rapid technological growth. The Netherlands has ramped up financial support and resources for innovative ventures, fuelling their expansion and development. International capital firms such as SME Finance and NordicNinja have chosen the Dutch capital to set up shop, providing fresh funding opportunities for the Dutch tech sector. 

• University-Industry research collaboration: Strong collaborations between academia and industry have bolstered research and development efforts and facilitated innovation and knowledge exchange. A varied network of innovation districts provide collaboration opportunities for public and private entities to come together and involve citizens in shaping a better future through applied technology. 

• Knowledge and creative output: The presence of world-leading academic institutions have helped the country contribute significantly to discoveries and technological advancements. With a high rate of scientific contribution in the form of patents and intellectual property, the Dutch have been known to contribute to major discoveries and technological advancements. For example, the Netherlands was home to first lab-grown hamburger in 2013 and continues to advance the possibilities of cultivated meat products.  

Amsterdam cultivates future-focused ideas

As the capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam has long been a home for innovative thinkers and game-changing ideas. It was one of the first European cities to implement a ‘smart city’ approach, fostering new ideas and technology that make life better for citizens and support a sustainable urban environment. The city is also known for pioneering eco-friendly initiatives that help boost biodiversity and shape a greener society from the ground up. 

Learn more about Amsterdam's innovation impact as a small but mighty European capital.