Innovation improves in Europe, but Albania ranks among the last

2024-08-22 08:02:55, Aktualitet CNA

Innovation improves in Europe, but Albania ranks among the last

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The innovation performance of the European Union has increased by 10% since 2017 and by 0.5% since last year, according to the 2024 annual report of the European Innovation Scoreboard* (EIS).

Most EU member states have improved their innovation performance, although growth varies considerably between countries. Fifteen member states have improved their performance over the past year, while 11 have regressed and one has remained stable, according to the European Commission.

According to the report, Albania ranks among the last in Europe, in the 35th place in Europe, leaving behind only Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine and Moldova.

The innovation index of Albania - compiled from 12 indicators is 46.

Albania is rated as "innovator in development" with performance at 41.8% of the EU average in 2024 (110). The performance is also below the average of "Emerging Innovator" (48%).

The countries of the region are also ranked in the same category, with ports rated higher in some of the indicators.

Albania performs better than the EU average, with 171.9% in the "Technologies related to the environment" indicator. While in almost all other indicators we do not even reach half of the EU average.

Albania's performance in other indicators

• Human resources at 59.3%, a 4.7% change from the 2023 report. This includes new PhD graduates, the highly educated and lifelong learning population.

• Research systems attractive 36.1%, deterioration of 1.8%. International scientific co-publications, scientific publications and foreign doctoral students are included in this indicator.

• Digitization 14.2%, an improvement of 8.5% from the previous year. This includes elements such as broadband coverage and basic digital skills of individuals.

• Finance and support no data, not applicable

• Firms' investments 12.7%, no changes from 2017 (expenditures in the business sector, as well as innovation expenditures for employed persons)

• Use of information technologies 45.6%, unchanged from 2017. This indicator includes elements such as companies that provide ICT training and ICT specialist employees.

• Innovators 75.3%, unchanged value from 2023 (SMEs introducing innovative products; SMEs introducing business process innovations)

• Interconnection 40.1%, improvement by 0.3% from 2023. (Innovative SMEs cooperating with others; Public-private co-publication, etc.)

• Intellectual property 5.9%, Decrease of 4.7% from 2023. (PCT patent applications, for trademarks etc.)

• Employment impacts 38%, 2.4% decrease from 2023. Employment in knowledge-intensive activities, employment in innovative enterprises

• Sales impact 47.5%, 1.6% less than the average of the previous year. (Exports of medium and high-tech products; Exports of knowledge-intensive services; Sales of new-to-market and new-to-firm innovations)

• Technologies related to the environment 171.9%, an increase of 8% from the last report.

Innovation improves in Europe, but Albania ranks among the last

Innovation leader Switzerland

Switzerland has once again demonstrated its leadership in innovation by maintaining its leading position in the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) 2024. With a performance score of 138.4% of the EU average, Switzerland excels in several key areas, including education, scientific cooperation and environmental technologies. This continued dominance underscores Switzerland's robust innovation ecosystem and its commitment to fostering cutting-edge research and development.

Between 2023 and 2024, national innovation performance improved in 15 Member States, but fell in 11 others, while Croatia remained stable. Denmark maintains its position as the most innovative EU country, followed by Sweden. Notably, Estonia has moved into the "Strong Innovator" category, while Belgium has moved from Innovation Leader to "Strong Innovator", maintaining its fifth position overall.

Switzerland remains the most innovative country in Europe, while South Korea continues to lead the world. China has overtaken Japan and is gradually closing the innovation gap with the EU.

The EU shows a strong performance in several indicators, in particular SMEs introducing product and process innovations and environmental technologies. However, the EU faces challenges in areas such as intellectual capital, cooperation between innovative SMEs and business spending on R&D (Research and development) compared to its main global competitors./ Monitor.al

Innovation improves in Europe, but Albania ranks among the last