Oman Jumps 5 Places in Global Innovation Index 2025: Implications for Investors and Entrepreneurs
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has made notable progress in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, climbing five positions to secure the 69th spot among 139 economies, as reported by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This advancement signifies Oman’s strengthened foundations in investment, competitiveness, and knowledge-based growth.
The report highlights Oman’s impressive ranking among the top 20 globally in six sub-indicators closely linked to economic performance. These include: development of economic clusters (9th), business policy stability (10th), the share of science and engineering graduates (12th), net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows as a percentage of GDP (14th), ICT access (15th), and electricity output (16th).
Oman also showed improvement across three key pillars: institutions (40th, up three places), infrastructure (55th, up eight), and business sophistication (63rd, up 23 places). These developments are vital for boosting investor confidence and enhancing private-sector growth.
Significant advancements were recorded in various sub-indicators with economic relevance, including a 60-place increase in patents per billion dollars of GDP, 22 places in high-tech manufacturing, and 21 places in both gross capital formation and FDI inflows as a share of GDP. Additionally, knowledge production saw a 20-place jump, and university–industry research collaboration improved by five places.
Dr. Saif bin Abdullah al Haddabi, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation for Research and Innovation and Chair of the National Team for GII, attributed this progress to national programs that promote research, scientific publishing, incubators, academic innovation centers, digital infrastructure, and a skilled workforce in science and engineering, supported by enabling legal frameworks.
He emphasized that since Oman’s entry into the index in 2015, the country has consistently improved its performance despite fluctuations from year to year. This year’s rise, according to him, establishes a strategic foundation for enhancing Oman’s innovation ecosystem in alignment with the 11th Five-Year Plan and Oman Vision 2040, where innovation plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable growth, attracting investment, and transitioning toward a knowledge-based economy.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s advancement to 69th in the Global Innovation Index signals a growing environment for investment and competitiveness, underscoring opportunities for businesses to leverage enhanced economic clusters and policy stability. However, this also presents risks; companies must navigate increased competition as the market becomes more attractive to foreign investors. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should focus on sectors aligned with Oman Vision 2040, particularly in technology and innovation, to capitalize on this momentum.
