Kazakhstan improves its position in the 2026 Global Innovation Index

Kazakhstan rose from 81st to 73rd place in the 2026 WIPO Global Innovation Index, marking its best result in the past 10 years, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization reported.

The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) ranking covers 139 economies, with Kazakhstan climbing eight places over the year.

The country ranked first among Central Asian countries and second among the 11 economies of Central and Southern Asia. Among 35 upper middle-income countries, Kazakhstan ranked 17th.

The most significant improvement was recorded in innovation outputs, with Kazakhstan rising from 84th to 73rd place. In terms of innovation inputs, its ranking improved from 75th to 73rd place.

Throughout 2026, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Mission in Geneva cooperated with WIPO on individual index indicators, assessment methodology and data quality. At the mission’s initiative, WIPO experts held online consultations with Kazakhstan’s government bodies.

Opportunities for further improvement include financing research and development, strengthening cooperation between businesses and universities, expanding venture financing, developing innovation clusters and software, as well as increasing the number of scientific and technical publications.

The permanent mission will continue cooperating with WIPO on the index indicators and methodology. Government bodies intend to consolidate the results and further improve Kazakhstan’s position.

Previously, Kursiv.media reported that NERO Group is set to establish AI-powered robot production in the special economic zone in Almaty jointly with China’s UBTECH Robotics. The companies plan to invest $440 million in the project.