Hungary ranks low in the international innovation index

An expert urges new measures to promote the spirit of innovation.

In Népszava, Zsolt Garamvölgyi finds it disheartening that Hungary has sunk to number 46 (from 39 last year) in the Swiss innovation index of 64 countries. Among EU members, Hungary ranks 22, he adds. Garamvölgyi blames an education system in which students are mostly fed facts and data rather than being encouraged to develop their creativity. He urges a complete overhaul of public education and believes that a shift in innovation can be achieved within ten years. Otherwise, he warns, Hungary will remain caught in the ‘middle-income trap’ where the country will fail to transition to a high-income economy due to rising costs and declining competitiveness.

Tags: competitiveness, education, innovation