Innovation Economics and Policy Design

How do government policies influence innovation and drive economic growth? Economic insights and empirical evidence reveal the dynamic effects of different policy choices, providing valuable guidance for policymakers aiming to foster sustainable innovation ecosystems and support long-term development.
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Innovation Capabilities Outlook 2026

The 2024 edition of the World Intellectual Property Report highlights the positive impact of innovation and industrial policy on helping to leverage the existing capabilities of a country or region.

Innovation economics and policy designs insights

Find out more about innovation economics through our stories.

How Electronic Sport is Powering a $184 Billion Innovation Economy

From basement hobby to billion-dollar industry: discover how intellectual property rights empowered competitive gaming into a global economic powerhouse creating careers, driving innovation, and reshaping entertainment.
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Does technology spread faster than ever before?

Inventions alone do not change the world; it is their diffusion that does. GenAI spread globally within a few days while other life-saving technologies took decades. How rapidly technologies spread has changed dramatically throughout history, and the shift to digital technologies has accelerated diffusion to unprecedented speeds. Discover how diffusion patterns have evolved across countries in this post!
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The Innovation Race in Sports Technologies

Sports innovation is growing twice as fast as global innovation overall, yet most countries are barely competing. Here's what the data reveals about who's winning the sports technology race, and where the biggest untapped opportunities lie.
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To Know or To Think to Know? How Men and Women Assess Their Knowledge About IP Rights

Do women and men differ in what they know and think they know about IP rights? Understanding knowledge gaps is essential for designing effective interventions to close the gender divide in innovation.

How can innovation economics support policymaking?

The evolving landscape of innovation demands policies that not only stimulate economic growth but also address the diverse needs and potential of each ecosystem. By understanding key areas—from leveraging unique innovation capabilities to fostering inclusivity, supporting regional and national development, connecting local ecosystems to the global network, and encouraging technological change—policymakers can craft strategies that drive sustainable growth and resilience. A comprehensive understanding of IP rights and institutions further strengthens these efforts, enabling vibrant and adaptive innovation environments.
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Understanding innovation capabilities can guide policymakers to leverage each innovation ecosystem's unique potential.
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Designing policies that support and encourage innovation inclusivity and diversity can be the engines of economic growth.
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Innovation policies can support the economic and social development of countries and regions.
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Policies can help vibrant local ecosystems connect to the global innovation network enlarging the potential scope and scale of their innovative activities.
Innovation policies can spur technological change across industries and within their value chains. The current wave of Digitalization can dramatically change the competitiveness of industries and transform the global value chains.
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Understanding of the economic effects of IP rights and institutions are crucial to inform national innovation policy design aiming at boosting vibrant innovation ecosystem.

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Resources for Researchers

Find academic literature, data and tools in the field of the economics of innovation and intellectual property (IP).
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Innovation data explorer (content not ready yet)

Explore, analyze, and visualize data related to innovation economics.

World Intellectual Property Report

WIPO’s flagship analytical publication that examines different themes of innovation. Published every two years.

WIPO economic research working papers

Economic research papers produced by the Department of Economics and Data Analytics.

Innovation, IP and Development

Empirical economic studies examining the impact of IP on innovation and economic growth in less-developed economies.

Innovation and IP Research Guidelines

Collection of guidelines on best practices when conducting empirical research.
RICK_JO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Resources for Researchers

Find academic literature, data and tools in the field of the economics of innovation and intellectual property (IP).

World Intellectual Property Report

WIPO’s flagship analytical publication that examines different themes of innovation. Published every two years.

WIPO economic research working papers

Economic research papers produced by the Department of Economics and Data Analytics.

Innovation, IP and Development

Empirical economic studies examining the impact of IP on innovation and economic growth in less-developed economies.

Innovation and IP Research Guidelines

Collection of guidelines on best practices when conducting empirical research.