Malta promoted to 'Strong Innovator' in EU innovation rankings for first time
Country recorded 'one of the strongest improvements in innovation performance since 2019'
Malta has been classified as a "Strong Innovator" for the first time in the European Commission’s annual European Innovation Scoreboard.
Previously classified as a “Moderate Innovator”, this year Malta placed above the EU average for innovation in the European Commission’s assessment while maintaining its 2025 overall ranking of 12th among EU member states.
Malta also recorded one of the strongest improvements in innovation performance since 2019, a government statement said.
The EIS highlights Malta as a leading performer in Intellectual Assets and identifies the country as one of the strongest improvers in Resource and Labour Productivity Impact.
The European Innovation Scoreboard measures innovation performance across areas such as research, investment, digitalisation, business innovation, and economic impact.
When it was still classified as a moderate innovator, Malta faced challenges in areas such as private R&D investment, venture capital and patent activity.
Reacting to the publication of the report, Innovation Minister Clifton Grima welcomed Malta’s progression to the “Strong Innovator” status.
He added this “positive result provides renewed momentum and drive to continue strengthening our innovation ecosystem, supporting businesses to innovate, fostering stronger collaboration between academia and industry, and encouraging greater private investment in research and development.”
“The report also highlights where Malta needs to invest further, especially to continue increasing research funding and opportunities,” Grima said.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue supporting Malta’s progress, primarily through Xjenza Malta, but also with the active engagement of all stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.