Philippines falls to 52nd place in Global Innovation Index, DOST urges more R&D funding
The Philippines slipped to 52nd in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, prompting the Department of Science and Technology to call for greater R&D investment.
The Philippines dropped two spots to 52nd in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, with its innovation inputs ranking 69th and outputs 40th. The Department of Science and Technology said the decline highlights the need for increased public and private R&D spending. The country had been 50th in 2025 and 53rd in 2024, and remains third among 36 lower-middle-income economies, outperforming that group’s average but staying below the regional average.
Why it matters
The decline signals weaker innovation performance and highlights the need for more research funding to stay competitive.
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