India tops intangible asset investment growth, says global report

India Surges as Top-Growing Major Economy in Intangible Investment

Theindiapostdaily.com – India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy in intangible asset investment, according to the

World Intangible Investment Highlights 2026

report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). In the fiscal year 2022-23, the country witnessed a significant acceleration in spending on knowledge-based assets, including software, research, brands, and design, marking a pivotal shift in its economic strategy. This growth places India at the forefront of global innovation, as the report underscores the transformative potential of intangible investments in driving sustainable development and competitive advantage.

The report reveals that India’s intangible investment growth rate of 7.9% outpaced that of several advanced economies, such as Japan (4.8%), the Philippines (4.6%), and the United States (4.4%), during the same period. While India has traditionally relied on tangible capital formation, its recent emphasis on intangible assets reflects a strategic pivot toward fostering long-term economic resilience. This shift is not only evident in the 3.9% increase in gross capital formation, which rose from 32% of GDP in 2021 to 33% in 2023, but also in the broader integration of intellectual property and digital infrastructure into its economic framework.

Software and Databases Drive India’s Intangible Investment Growth

India’s intangible investment reached an impressive $78 billion in 2023, surpassing several European economies, including Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Finland. The report categorizes intangible investment as expenditures on intellectual property, software, databases, R&D, organizational capital, and design, all of which are vital for modernizing industries and supporting economic diversification. Notably, software and databases accounted for nearly 45% of India’s total intangible investment, the highest share among all surveyed economies. This dominance highlights the country’s growing digital ecosystem, with sectors like IT, fintech, and e-commerce playing a central role.

Organizational capital and R&D also contributed significantly, making up 21.8% and 12.7% of India’s intangible investment, respectively. Brands and design represented 9.3% and 11%, underscoring the nation’s increasing focus on building global competitiveness through intellectual property. The report further notes that software investment has grown at a compound annual rate of 8.2% since 2013, reflecting India’s role as a global hub for digital innovation. This trend is expected to continue, with the country’s software exports and domestic R&D capabilities showing steady momentum.