China's Innovation Index rises 5.3% in 2024, signaling steady growth in tech capabilities
China's innovation ecosystem continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with the country's official Innovation Index reaching 174.2, a 5.3% increase over the previous year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The index, benchmarked to 100 in 2015, reflects improvements across innovation environment, investment, output, and effectiveness.
In detail, the innovation environment index rose to 186.0, up 4.9%, driven by a 10.8% increase in the proportion of science and engineering graduates among the school-age population. Other contributing factors included a 5.1% rise in per capita GDP and modest gains in tax incentives for enterprises, education levels among employees, and government science and technology funding.
The innovation input index climbed to 162.6, up 5.1%. Notably, per capita funding for basic researchers increased by 6.6%, while enterprise R&D spending, R&D personnel density, and R&D-to-GDP ratio all saw gains of around 4.5-4.7%.
The innovation output index jumped 8.1% to 215.8, marking the fastest growth among all categories. High-value invention patents per 10,000 R&D personnel rose by 12.5%, maintaining double-digit growth for the third consecutive year. Other metrics, such as trademark registrations, scientific publications, and technology market activity, also improved.
The innovation effectiveness index reached 132.4, a 1.9% increase. Labor productivity grew by 4.9%, while the share of "new economy" value-added in GDP and new product sales revenue both rose. However, the proportion of high-tech exports in total goods exports declined by 1.0%, though the rate of decline narrowed significantly compared to the previous year.
These gains underscore China's continued push to enhance its scientific and technological capabilities, with a focus on nurturing talent, boosting R&D investment, and translating innovation into economic value.
The China Innovation Index is compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics and reflects the country's performance in science and technology development. It evaluates four key areas-environment, input, output, and effectiveness-using a range of indicators to track progress in innovation-driven growth.
