A thorough analysis of the state of innovation in the different Slovak regions can be found in the Regional Innovation Score of Slovakia (KISS). KISS’s primary objective is to support local initiatives aimed at enhancing the research and innovation environment. It is a framework based on the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) and uses the same indicators to map the situations in the regions across Slovakia. The version contains data for the years 2021 and 2022. In alignment with the EIS, KISS monitors developments across 12 key areas:
- Human resources,
- Attractive research system,
- Digitalisation,
- Finance and support,
- Firm investments,
- Use of information technologies,
- Innovators,
- Linkages,
- Intellectual assets,
- Employment impacts,
- Sales impacts,
- Environmental sustainability.
As Slovakia’s most inventive region, Bratislava region manages to maintain a significant advantage over other regions, which is a pattern typical for capital cities across Europe. It ranks first in 16 out of 24 indicators, surpassing the national average in almost every category. However, according to the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2023, the Bratislava region remains below the EU average.
The Košice region is the second most strong in research and innovation. It performs above the average in 10 indicators with notable strengths in ICT employment, Intellectual Assets and Human resources. On the other hand, it falls short in the Emissions area (industrial air pollution).
With performance above average in just 3 areas, the Prešov region comes in last on the list. Although the region struggles with the area of Finance and support, it excels in Environmental sustainability, Digital skills and the Impact of innovations on employment.
In the interim, Banská Bystrica region has emerged as the year’s most improved region, rising from 7th place in 2021 to 3rd place in 2022, mainly due to Top-tier scientific publications, ICT workforce and Substantial improvements in industrial emissions.
Complete Regional Innovation Ranking list (from the most innovative to least innovative):
- Bratislava region
- Košice region
- Banská Bystrica region
- Žilina region
- Trenčín region
- Nitra region
- Trnava region
- Prešov region
Research and innovation authority (VAIA) also provides users with the Interactive dashboard that allows them to compare regional performance with the national average, expressed as a percentage. Scores above 100 indicate that a region is performing better than the national average, while scores below 100 suggest it is lagging behind.
About VAIA (Research and Innovation Authority)
VAIA is a department within the Government Office tasked with creation and coordination of research and innovation policies to transform Slovakia into an aspirational and innovative nation.
For more information about KISS click here.
Published 13.09.2024
