As Singapore marks six decades, it continues pushing frontiers beyond physical infrastructure—into the world of innovation. On 9 January 2025, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Singapore received the Global Innovation Champion award from the Consumer Technology Association, ranking first among 74 countries evaluated in the biennial Global Innovation Scorecard.
A Leap from 15th to 1st: Singapore’s Acceleration
Just two years earlier, in 2023, Singapore ranked 15th. Now, it surpasses global peers—including the U.S., New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland—to claim the top spot.
This rise underscores how quickly Singapore has ramped up its innovation capacities and policies.
Why Singapore Excelled: Four Pillars of Innovation
Data shows Singapore topped the composite score across multiple dimensions:
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R&D and tax‑friendly regulations
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Start‑up and SME‑friendly business climate
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Innovation‑forward legal and digital environment
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Skilled workforce, resilient infrastructure, and open data flows
These strengths created the backbone for a thriving innovation ecosystem—allowing the nation to expand its tech leadership in sectors from medtech to fintech and smart city solutions.
From the Scorecard to Real-World Impact
Singapore’s innovation leadership isn’t just in rankings—it’s built into how we operate:
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A*STAR, EDB, and SGInnovate work with universities and industry to translate research (e.g. biotech, fintech, AI) into commercial outcomes.
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Singapore is ranked first in 14 out of 78 indicators under the Global Innovation Index 2024, including regulatory quality, venture capital, digital readiness, and logistics performance.
SG60 Reflection: Innovation as a National Identity
SG60 reminds us that our journey isn’t just about structures—but systems: systems that encourage startups, support deep-tech R&D, and reward ideas as much as income.
Leading the world in innovation means Singapore has built a culture—and an ecosystem—where progress is continuous, open, and rooted in resilience.
What We Can Expect Next
Singapore’s innovation leadership sets the stage for:
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Further growth in AI, bioengineering, fintech, and sustainability technologies
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Enhanced global collaborations and start-up scaling via hubs like Biopolis and Fusionopolis
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Continued evolution of public‑private innovation policy frameworks built around Smart Nation ideals
