SYLLABUS

GS-3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Context: The World Intangible Investment Highlights 2026, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School (LBS), highlights India's emergence as the fastest-growing major economy in intangible investment among the world's 15 largest economies.

About the World Intangible Investment Report

• It is the third edition of the report jointly published by WIPO and Luiss Business School (LBS) under the WIPO–LBS Partnership on Intangible Assets in the Global Economy. 

• It is based on the Global INTAN-Invest Database, which measures investments in both measured and unmeasured intangible assets—including software, research & development (R&D), databases, brands, design, organizational capital and intellectual property (IP)—across 29 high- and middle-income economies, covering about 57% of global GDP. 

• The 2026 edition also examines the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving intangible investment and features brands as the special theme. 

• Canada and the Philippines are included in the database for the first time in the 2026 edition. 

Key Findings of the Report

Global Findings:

• Global intangible investment crossed USD 10 trillion for the first time in 2025. 

• Since 2008, intangible investment has grown more than three times faster than tangible investment. 

• Between 2020–2025, intangible investment grew 5.5% annually, compared with 3.2% for tangible investment. 

• Formal-sector intangible investment now accounts for 12.8% of GDP, exceeding tangible investment (11.8%) across the economies covered. 

• The United States remains the largest investor in intangible assets, followed by Japan and Germany. 

• Sweden recorded the highest intangible investment intensity (as a share of GDP), followed by the United States and France. 

• Around 62% of intangible investment remains unmeasured in official national accounts, mainly because assets such as organizational capital, brands and design are not fully captured. 

• The report highlights that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accelerating investment in software, data, R&D, brands, organizational capital and skills, while also driving demand for AI-related physical infrastructure. 

• The report shows a structural shift in the global economy from physical assets towards knowledge-, innovation- and intellectual property-driven assets. 

India-Specific Findings:

• India recorded the fastest growth in intangible investment among the 15 largest economies, registering 7.9% growth (2022–23). 

• India's intangible investment reached USD 78.2 billion in 2023, surpassing that of several European economies. 

• Over the past decade (2013–2023), India's intangible investment grew at an average annual rate of 5.3%. 

• Software and databases accounted for nearly 45% of India's total intangible investment—the highest share among all economies covered. 

• Organizational capital contributed 21.8%, while brands accounted for 9.3% of India's intangible investment. 

• India's formal-sector intangible investment reached 10% of GDP in 2023, reflecting its transition towards a knowledge-driven economy. 

• The report attributes India's strong performance to growing investments in software, R&D, intellectual property, innovation and organizational capabilities, supported by rapid digitalisation and a strong information technology ecosystem.