2025 European Innovation Scoreboard (Screen capture from European Commission's official website)

By Kang Gahui

A European study calls Korea the most innovative country in the world.

The European Commission (EC) recently released the European Innovation Scoreboard, which compares and analyzes the innovation results of European Union (EU) member states, neighboring countries and main global competitors.

Performance is measured using 32 statistical indicators in four categories: framework conditions, investments, innovation activities and impacts. Five indicators were updated this year to reflect the policy context.

Korea topped this year's rankings with a score of 152.2 based on the EU average of 100 in 2018, higher than the EU average of 112.6.

Canada and China shared second place with 133.4, followed by the U.S. (127.2) and Australia (125.1).

Surpassing the EU in the survey every year since 2018, Korea was the only country last year to score above 140 last year.

The EC said Korea was relatively strong in trademark applications, design applications and corporate spending on R&D.

kgh89@korea.kr