Vietnam has a medium level of creative productivity in Asia

The index measures input and output creative productivity. Input is measured through 36 indicators on capacity and incentives for innovation such as the number of global top 500 universities in the country, urbanization rate, research and development spending, protection of intellectual property rights, and corruption and bureaucracy.

Meanwhile, output is measured by eight indicators to measure innovation which include the number of patents filed, export sophistication, value added to agriculture, and the number of books and films produced.

The CPI ranks Japan and the Republic of Korea as the most efficient in the Asia and Pacific region at turning creative inputs into tangible innovation. However, Myanmar, Pakistan and Cambodia were ranked as the least efficient innovators.

According to the EIU, Vietnam has a medium level of creative inputs and remains weak in “outputs”. Although over 90% of Vietnam’s population are literate, its school system and teaching curricula are outdated. In addition, Vietnam lacks skills in such sectors as service, information technology, banking and finance. The low ranking in innovation “output” is attributed to poor scientific products including innovations and scientific publications.

The EIU recommended that to increase the “output” in the scientific field, Vietnam further invest in higher education to attract students to get involved in the scientific programs.