World Intangible Investment Report 2026, jointly published by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School (LBS), Italy, highlights the growing importance of intangible investments in driving innovation, productivity, and long-term economic growth. The report reaffirms India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies in intangible investments, recording the highest growth among the world’s 15 largest economies.

About Report

• Published by: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School (LBS), Italy.
• Coverage: 29 economies.
• These economies account for:
  • Around 57% of global GDP (nominal terms).
  • Around 45% of global GDP (Purchasing Power Parity – PPP).
• The report examines global trends in intangible investments, their contribution to GDP, productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.

Tangible vs Intangible Investment

Tangible Investment

• Investment in physical assets, such as: Machinery, Factories, Infrastructure, Buildings, Equipment.

Intangible Investment

• Investment in non-physical knowledge-based assets, including: Research & Development (R&D), Intellectual Property (IP), Databases, Software, Organisational know-how, Brands and trademarks, Design.

Importance

Intangible investments:

• Drive innovation.
• Improve productivity.
• Enhance product quality.
• Increase brand value.
• Improve competitiveness.
• Generate high-value employment.
• Support long-term economic growth.

Key Findings of Report

India Emerges as Fastest-Growing Major Economy

• India recorded the fastest growth in intangible investments among the world’s 15 largest economies.
• Both tangible and intangible investments are rising rapidly.
• Infrastructure investment continues to grow faster than intangible investment.

Intangible Investment Outpaces Tangible Investment Globally

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

Growth Rate (2008–2025)

• Intangible investment: 3.5% annually.
• Tangible investment: 0.98% annually.
• Global intangible investment exceeded USD 10 trillion in 2025.

More Resilient During Economic Shocks

The report notes that intangible investments are:

• More resilient during economic downturns.
• Less affected by economic shocks compared to physical investments.

Global Leaders

Highest Total Intangible Investment

1. United States
2. Japan
3. Germany

Most Intangible-Intensive Economies

(Based on share of intangible investment in GDP)

1. Sweden
2. United States
3. France

India’s Performance

• India’s formal-sector intangible investment reached 10% of GDP (2023).
• Tangible investment remains higher at 19.3% of GDP, reflecting continued infrastructure development.
• India recorded one of the fastest growth rates in both:
  • Tangible investment.
  • Intangible investment.

Country-wise Investment Trends

United States, France & United Kingdom

• Both tangible and intangible investments increased.
• Intangible investment grew faster.

Japan, Canada & Germany

• Intangible investment continued rising.
• Tangible investment stagnated or declined.
• Indicates transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

India & Philippines

• Rapid growth in both tangible and intangible investments.
• Infrastructure investment still growing faster.

Brazil

• Intangible investment increased.
• Tangible investment declined.

Fastest Growing Intangible Assets

Global Trends (2013–2023)

1. Software & Databases – 7.3% growth
2. Organisational Capital – 4.9%
3. Brands – 4.4%

India

The fastest-growing category is: Software and Databases

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intangible Investments

The report highlights that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to further accelerate investments in:

• Software.
• Databases.
• Research & Development.
• Organisational capital.
• Data assets.

AI is increasingly becoming a major driver of knowledge-based economic growth.

Share in GDP

• Since 1995: Intangible investment has steadily increased as a share of GDP across all economies.

Global Position (2025)

• Intangible investment: 12.8% of GDP
• Tangible investment: 11.8% of GDP

This marks a structural shift towards knowledge-based economies.

What are Intangible Assets?

Intangible assets are non-physical assets whose value lies in knowledge, innovation, creativity, and intellectual capital rather than physical form.

Such as: Trademarks, Research & Development, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), Software, Databases, Brands, Designs etc.

Example

• The value of an electric vehicle largely comes from: Brand, Battery technology, Software.
• AI models derive value mainly from: Data, Research, Software, Algorithms.

About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

• Established: 1967.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Specialized Agency of the United Nations: Since 1974.
• Objective:
  • Promote protection of Intellectual Property (IP) worldwide.
  • Encourage innovation and creativity.
  • Facilitate international IP cooperation.
• Members: 193 countries (India is a member).