The Philippines ranked first in the world in terms of high-tech exports as a share of total trade and fourth in high-tech imports.
These are key indicators of the Philippines’ integration into global value chains, according to the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII).
The country climbed to 50th place out of 139 economies in the GII, its highest ranking to date, the report from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) showed.
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said the achievement reflected sustained efforts to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. The Philippines matched its previous best performance in 2020 and exceeded its 2025 target of 52nd place under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the milestone was the result of “sustained reforms, targeted investments and strong collaboration across sectors.” The Philippines remains committed to scaling its innovation capacity and bridging gaps in research and digital infrastructure, he said.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Philippines was named an “Innovation Overperformer,” a recognition given to economies that consistently outperform expectations relative to their level of development. It joins a group of middle-income economies, including China, India and Viet Nam that have steadily advanced in the GII rankings.
In other indicators, the Philippines placed 16th in creative goods exports. It was also ranked 49th for Innovation Outputs, reflecting its ability to translate resources into meaningful results.
Balisacan, who is also vice chair of the National Innovation Council (NIC), said the council is implementing the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) 2023-2032 to sustain the momentum. The roadmap focuses on increasing investments in research and development, expanding access to digital infrastructure, and cultivating a larger pool of science and innovation professionals.
The NIC is also working to foster an environment that supports the creation of high-value creative goods and globally recognized brands, he said.
