Romania ranks #49 (with 34.3 points) in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, out of 139 analyzed economies, according to the report published in March 2026 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the UN (Geneva).

The Global Innovation Index assesses the countries’ ability to generate innovation based on 80 indicators grouped into 7 categories: business environment, economic structure, infrastructure, research and human capital, institutions, know-how and technology, as well as creativity and branding. The Index also analyzes brands’ value, exports of creative products and solutions, the media and entertainment market, along with the activity in the field of patents and trademarks.

Banca Transilvania’s role in Romania’s Performance

Banca Transilvania is among the main contributors to Romania’s performance in the Global Innovation Index 2025, featuring in two key categories of the report:  

• Romanian companies with the highest brand value;
• Companies with the highest intensity of intangible assets.

WIPO also takes into account the ranking of Romanian companies with the highest brand value globally, compiled by Brand Finance. In 2025, Banca Transilvania ranked 3rd, with a brand value of nearly USD 955 million (+39% compared to 2024 and a climbing of 27 positions in the rankings), placing it in the top alongside Dacia and eMAG. According to Brand Finance Banking 500 2026, Banca Transilvania’s brand value has exceeded USD 1 billion.

In the “Intangible Asset Intensity – Top 15” category, BT ranks among the Romanian companies with the highest share of intangible assets in total value, alongside Hidroelectrica and Romgaz. The indicator reflects investments in technology, digitalization, and IT infrastructure, innovation capacity, and a focus on high-value-added products and services.

Romania, through the lens of the Global Innovation Index 2025

According to WIPO, Romania records:

• solid performance, above the regional average in: Infrastructure (31st place) and Knowledge & Technology Outputs (40th place).
• challenges: Institutions (85th place), Human Capital and Research (72nd place), Market Sophistication (62nd place), which limit the economy’s innovation potential.

Although Romania did not have any unicorns (private tech companies valued at over USD 1 billion) in 2025, it makes positive strides in IT exports, high-tech manufacturing, brand value, and exports’ complexity—factors that contribute to its ranking in the Global Innovation Index.

Top 10 most innovative economies: 

1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. United States
4. South Korea
5. Singapore
6. United Kingdom
7. Finland
8. Netherlands
9. Denmark
10. China

The results of the Global Innovation Index 2025 indicate that Romania is making progress in areas such as digitalization, technology, and intangible assets. Increased investments in innovation and human capital remain essential for Romania to achieve increasingly better positions in the global rankings in the coming years. In this context, BT’s contribution is an example of how the financial sector can support the competitiveness and transformation of the Romanian economy.