Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has climbed two positions in the 2026 Global Innovation Index (GII), ranking 77th among 139 countries. The most notable progress was recorded in the Innovation Output sub-index, where the country improved its position by 14 places, the press service of the Agency for Innovative Development under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation reported.
The Global Innovation Index report is published annually in September by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), together with the US-based Portulans Institute, representatives of corporate and academic networks, and the GII Advisory Board.
The ranking is one of the leading international studies assessing the development of science, technology and innovation across countries. It comprises two sub-indices and around 80 indicators grouped into seven main categories.
According to the 2026 GII report, published on 29 September, Uzbekistan ranked eighth among 36 lower-middle-income countries and was also among the top four performers out of 11 countries in Central and Southern Asia.
In the Innovation Input sub-index, Uzbekistan rose by one position to 68th place. The country recorded more substantial progress in the Innovation Output sub-index, climbing 14 places to 78th.
Uzbekistan also recorded notable results in individual indicators related to the development of science, entrepreneurship and labour productivity.
The country ranked second in the indicator for “Graduates in science and engineering”, third for “Entrepreneurship policies and culture”, fourth for “Finance for startups and scaleups”, and seventh for “Labour productivity growth”.
Uzbekistan first entered the Global Innovation Index in 2015, ranking 122nd among 141 countries. In 2025, the country ranked 79th among 139 countries.
The improvement in the international ranking is in line with objectives set out in Presidential Decree No. UP-21 of 16 February 2026, “On additional measures for the consistent continuation and advancement of reforms within the priority areas of the country’s development until 2030”.
Under the document, Uzbekistan is expected to enter the group of the world’s 60 leading innovative countries by 2030.
The target for 2026 was set at 77th place in the Global Innovation Index. Uzbekistan achieved this target at the end of the year.
The 2026 GII results therefore reflect Uzbekistan’s progress in the international innovation ranking.
The country’s strong performance in individual areas highlights the importance of developing science and technology education, supporting entrepreneurship, financing startups and increasing labour productivity in achieving its long-term innovation development goals.
