About the Report
The U.S. Chamber’s International IP Index (IP Index) creates a roadmap for economies seeking to strengthen the ecosystem for innovation and creativity through more effective intellectual property (IP) standards.
The 12th IP Index evaluates intellectual property systems across the world’s top 55 economies using 50 unique criteria. The data shows economies how to improve IP-driven innovation and creativity and reveals trends in global IP protection.
The IP Index also serves as a guide to world leaders on proven methods to champion innovation and creativity at home. With this data, they can see what’s working, what’s not, and what changes are needed to ensure a brighter future.
Top Scores and Rankings
| Rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | (95.48%) |
| 2 | United Kingdom | (94.12%) |
| 3 | France | (93.12%) |
| 4 | Germany | (92.46%) |
| 5 | Sweden | (92.12%) |
| 6 | Japan | (91.26%) |
| 7 | Netherlands | (91.24%) |
| 8 | Ireland | (89.38%) |
| 9 | Spain | (86.44%) |
| 10 | Switzerland | (85.98%) |
Global Rankings of the top 55 economies
Select a country below to see specific strengths and weaknesses
Rankings 1-10
Rankings 11-20
Rankings 21-30
Rankings 31-40
Rankings 41-50
Rankings 50-55
Top 4 Findings for 2024
1. Twenty economies improved their overall scores, signaling optimism for global IP policy’s future, but work remains.
- Top gains: Saudi Arabia (+6.04%), Brazil (+4.50%), and Nigeria (+3.00%) showcase policy-driven innovation investments.
- Static scores: 27 economies remain unchanged; 8 declined, with Ecuador dropping over 1% due to inadequate border control against IP infringement.
- Leadership Challenge: No significant progress in top-ranked economies calls for the U.S. and EU to reassert IP policy leadership.
2. Multilateral organizations can reaffirm global IP commitment instead of tolerating counterproductive measures like IP waivers.
- Post-pandemic response: Despite the pandemic’s end in May 2023, debates on IP waivers for COVID-19 treatments and diagnostics continue, risking future IP Index scores.
- WHO proposals: The draft Pandemic Accord and International Health Regulations suggest time-bound IP waivers and forced technology transfers.
- Broader impact: The push against IP protections now includes demands for green technology and climate solutions waivers.
3. High-income economies risk losing IP leadership with new policy and regulatory proposals.
- U.S. concerns: Proposals to expand march-in rights based on pricing and patentability uncertainties undermine the life sciences sector.
- EU proposals: Legislative changes in Europe may weaken regulatory data protection, undermine patent protection, and jeopardize trade secrets.
4. Economies continue to take steps to combat online piracy.
- Online piracy progress: Notable efforts to combat online copyright infringement through dynamic injunctions.
- Legislative changes: Economies introduced legislative changes to increase criminal sanctions in India, implement EU law, and better protect copyrighted content in Nigeria.
Dive into previous editions
IP Category Highlights
- Patents: 23 economies score above 70%, with India and Pakistan making notable legislative changes.
- Copyrights: Marginal improvement in protection with proactive enforcement in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
- Trademarks: Average scores rise with significant enforcement actions and judicial rulings in Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.
- Design rights: EU proposals aim to modernize design rights, with Indonesia increasing protection terms.
- Trade secrets: EU’s EHDS proposals may affect the handling of confidential health data and undermine trade secrets protection.
- IP commercialization: Morocco takes steps to facilitate IP asset licensing and commercialization.
- Enforcement: Strong actions in the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic highlight the focus on enforcement.
- Systemic efficiency: Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Costa Rica engage in IP policy improvements, awareness raising, and training.
- International treaties: Brazil joins the Hague Agreement, but new free trade agreements show varied commitment to comprehensive IP protection.
For a full analysis and detailed scores, download the full report below.
