Azerbaijan has made significant progress in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), rising to 94th place among 139 countries. This achievement reflects the country’s continuous development in the field of innovation.
The improvement is mainly attributed to two key areas: Innovation Inputs and Innovation Outputs. In the Innovation Inputs category, Azerbaijan advanced 10 positions in the Institutions sub-indicator, reaching 41st place, highlighting stronger governmental support for the innovation environment.
At the same time, notable progress has been made in Innovation Outputs. Azerbaijan’s performance in the Knowledge and Technology Outputs sub-category is particularly impressive, with the country ranking 57th in Patent Applications, demonstrating a clear increase in intellectual activity.
In regional comparison, Azerbaijan outperforms several post-Soviet countries in certain areas, including Russia (60th), Armenia (78th), and Belarus (102nd). These achievements are linked to strategic investments in research and development, improvements in the business environment, and strengthened institutional frameworks. However, attracting more private sector investment in R&D and further developing the innovation ecosystem remain key priorities.
