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Boom in investments in research, software and intellectual property

Intangible investment is increasing, investment in tangible assets is stagnating: Study by the World Intellectual Property Organisation draws a mixed conclusion for Germany - DPMA President: Intangible assets such as intellectual property are key to competitiveness

Press release of 9 July 2025

Geneva/Munich. According to a study by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Germany is one of the leading countries for investments in intangible assets such as research and development, software and databases as well as branding. In total, private and public players from Germany invested 602 billion US dollars (around 513 billion euros) in intangible assets last year. This put the country in third place among the economies analysed after the United States and France - with the United States leading by a huge margin. At the same time, however, WIPO recognises Germany's weakness in investments in tangible assets such as buildings, machinery and infrastructure. Investments in these areas have actually declined in recent years.

The data is part of the study ‘World Intangible Investment Highlights 2025 - Better Data for Better Policy’ , which WIPO published today together with the Italian Luiss Business School.

"Intangible assets, and intellectual property in particular, are playing an increasingly important role and are key to the competitiveness of our economy. The development of investments in Germany is a positive sign in this respect," commented Eva Schewior, President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, on the latest data. "Above all, Germany's strong focus on research and development makes us confident that we can continue to be one of the leading economies in terms of technology in the future. Nevertheless, we must not neglect investment in traditional tangible assets and our infrastructure in the here and now."

According to WIPO, investments in research and development account for 32 per cent of all intangible investments in Germany. Among the countries analysed, this proportion is only higher in Japan (37%). However, only 9 per cent of total intangible investments in Germany went into software and databases. Internationally, this is the fastest-growing area, driven primarily by the latest applications of artificial intelligence.

According to WIPO data, investments in intangible assets in Germany now account for 10.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). In 1995 it was still 8 per cent. This means that tangible and intangible investments are now almost on a par. In other highly developed economies such as the United States, France and the United Kingdom, investments in intangible assets already account for a significantly larger proportion of GDP than tangible investments. Among the economies analysed, intangible investments rose from around 10 to almost 14 percent of GDP between 1995 and 2024, while tangible investments fell from 11 to 10 percent.

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office

Inventiveness and creativity need effective protection. The DPMA is the German centre of expertise for all intellectual property rights - for patents, utility models, trade marks and registered designs. As the largest national patent office in Europe and the sixth largest national patent office in the world, it is committed to Germany’s future as a country of inventors in a globalised economy. Its almost 2,800 staff based at three locations - Munich, Jena and Berlin - are service providers for inventors and companies. They implement the innovation strategies of the Federal administration and develop national, European and international IP systems further.

Bild: iStock.com/metamorworks

Last updated: 9 July 2025