New WIPO data show intangible asset investment growing fast, spreading globally

25 july 2024

Interesting

The first-ever  World Intangible Investment Highlights, published in partnership with Italy’s Luiss Business School (LBS), demonstrates how intangible assets are an increasingly important driver of innovation and economic growth in a globalized knowledge economy.

For reference:
Intangible assets include the results of research and development, expertise, know-how, software and data, artistic and design solutions, brands and reputations, institutional and supply chain expertise, and management skills, all of which are assets that are in one way or another related to intellectual property. Despite their intangible nature, these assets can create enormous value for companies, economic systems, society and individuals.

Investment in intangible assets such as brands, design, data and software has grown three times faster than investment in tangible assets such as plant and equipment over the past 15 years, according to new data obtained by WIPO.

Rising interest rates, total investment in intangible assets reached $6.9 trillion in 2023. The total value of intangible assets in 2023 reached US$6.9 trillion, more than doubling from US$2.9 trillion in 1995. This would be more than double the $2.9 trillion in 1995. According to the report, investment in tangible assets totaled $4.7 trillion in 2023.

 The report also shows:

• Resilience during economic uncertainty;
• Increasing GDP share;
• Most-intensive locations;
• Leading economies (1995-2023);
• Remarkable growth in emerging economies
• Leading intangible asset types.

The report currently covers 26 countries covering more than half of global GDP, with more economies planned for inclusion in further editions.

Based on WIPO materials

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