Transatlantic Subnational Innovation Competitiveness Index 2.0
This report is a collaboration between the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the German Economic Institute (iW), STUNS, the Institute for Competitiveness (i-Com), the Friedrich A. v. Hayek Institute, and the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE).
For policymakers to bolster the global competitiveness of their nations and regions, they first must know where they stand. This report benchmarks the 121 regions of Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the United States using 13 commonly available indicators of strength in the knowledge economy, globalization, and innovation capacity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Germany boasts a trio of states in the top 10 (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse), while its entire regional landscape ranks impressively in the top 80 out of 121.
The United States claims four each of the top (Massachusetts, California, Washington, Maryland) and bottom ten regions (South Dakota, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi).
Three of the seven Swedish regions rank in the top ten (Greater Metropolitan Region, West Sweden, South Sweden) due to their strong knowledge and innovation capacity.
While the best-performing Austrian region is not in the top ten (Lower Austria and Vienna), nearly all Austrian regions score above the median region.
The best-performing Italian region scores better than those of Hungary or Poland, but the worst-performing Hungarian and Polish regions both score better than their Italian peers.
Policymakers must provide adequate funding for regional innovation and education, especially in science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Policymakers must open their regional innovation economies to both a continental and global scale to create internationally competitive ecosystems and accelerate development.
Policymakers must boost local research and development (R&D), entrepreneurship, and patent applications for a resilient economy with cutting-edge development opportunities.