Pakistan 'overperformer' in innovation, climbs 4 ranks globally: report

Pakistan has climbed 4 places globally in the 'Global Innovation Index 2026' report, moving up to 95th position from 99th spot last year. The country has also regained its "overperformer" status for the fourth time, a designation given to economies that outperform expectations given their economic development level. This overperformance status was achieved in 2022 and 2024 as well.

In 2026, Pakistan performed better in innovation outputs than inputs, ranking 121st in the former and 72nd in the latter - both positions higher than last year. The report explained that innovation overperformance demonstrates that innovation does not always follow a direct line from income to results. Instead, economies can generate more innovation than expected for their economic level when they capitalize on their specific strengths.

Pakistan's performance in the digital economy, particularly in mobile app creation, ICT services exports, high-tech imports, and software spending, was highlighted as a key factor behind its improvement. The country's strong scientific production and university quality also contributed to its developing digital economy.

Among economies of a similar level of development, Pakistan ranked 15th, making it the highest-ranked among the 36 lower middle-income economies and the 8th among 11 economies in central and southern Asia. However, Pakistan did not lead in any specific innovation pillar of the index, including 'human capital and research' or 'infrastructure'.

This rise in Pakistan's global innovation ranking over the past seven years is shown by the 2020-2026 Global Innovation Index (GII) data - Pakistan was ranked 107th in 2020, 99th in 2021, 87th in 2022, 88th in 2023, 91st in 2024, and 99th in 2025. Despite geopolitical and economic turbulence, the world's top three innovation economies - Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States - have remained stable, with Switzerland holding its first position for a record 16th year.