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Innovative Power

Strong Innovation Performance

Germany enjoys an excellent reputation for its dynamic and innovative R&D environment. This is regularly confirmed by leading international comparisons on innovative capability. The latest example can be found in the current issue of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) which is used as an instrument by the European Commission to  evaluate the innovative performance of the European countries. The EIS ranks Germany high in the group of leading innovators. Within the EU, only the Scandinavian countries, the Benelux countries and the UK are placed ahead of Germany. With its innovation output, Germany is a prime location for R&D projects.

Map: Innocation Performance of European Countries
Map: Innocation Performance of European Countries | © Innovation Union Scoreboard 2019

The unique innovative potential of Germany as a research location is also acknowledged by international executives. According to a survey by Ernst & Young, a quarter of the decision-makers asked, think Germany is the most attractive R&D location in the world.

A further proof of the 'world class performance' of German R&D departments is provided by the results of the surveys by the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany (AmCham).  75 percent of companies rate Germany’s research environment as “good” or “very good”. The survey further highlights the availability of highly qualified scientists as wells as the close collaboration of businesses with internationally leading research institutes and universities.

Bar Graph: Number of Patents Granted by Country of Origin (2018)
Bar Graph: Number of Patents Granted by Country of Origin (2018) | © European Patent Office 2019 | Germany Trade & Invest

High Proportion of Innovation

In 2016, more than 65,000 EU companies from the manufacturing sector launched a new product.  Almost 16,000 (23.9%) of these companies are German, illustrating Germany’s leading position in the European Union. Companies from France and the UK make up a combined share of 20.3%, while Italy ranks higher with a share of 29,2%.
The German Institute for Economic Research found that German research intensive sectors within the manufacturing industry achieve the highest turnovers in Europe (2010).Companies can secure market leadership in the corresponding niche by quickly bringing their latest innovations to market maturity.

European King of Patents

The great innovative power of German companies can be seen in their number of patents: In 2018, 20,804German patent applications were approved by the European Patent Office, almost twice as much as the French and British applications combined. Germany also leads Europe in triadic patents (series of corresponding patents filed at the European Patent Office (EPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Japanese Patent Office (JPO)). In 2017, with about 56 patents per million inhabitants, Germany came in fifth behind Switzerland, Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Bar Graph: Number of Patents Granted by Country of Origin (2018)
Bar Graph: Number of Patents Granted by Country of Origin (2018) | © European Patent Office 2019 | Germany Trade & Invest
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