BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index Global
Nations Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places Globally
to Launch a Startup

China Sinks Lower
Australia Climbs DII Global Top 10 Pushing Sweden Lower
New Zealand Reclaims 10th Place; Germany Slips to 11th
Argentina, Paraguay, Honduras, and Uruguay Continue Improvements
Norway, Ireland, Hong Kong, Turkey, El Salvador, and Venezuela Decline
India Remains Steady
Namibia, Anguilla, Jordan, and Jamaica Post Large Gain

Oakland, California – BizWorld announces its July 2025 update to the Draper Innovation Index Global (DII Global), which evaluates each nation’s ability to develop, support, and retain entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and investors. First published in 2021, the DII Global provides the most well-rounded and up-to-date look at entrepreneurial environments across the globe.

“India overtook China for the first time in DII Global history, a significant and telling event,” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “This month the world’s two largest nations ranked 65th and 69th, respectively. Looking forward, India has a significant demographic advantage over China with a population that is on average about a decade younger in terms of age. This will lead to tremendous economic growth opportunities. I wouldn’t be surprised if it continues to rise up the DII Global ranks in the second half of this year.”

Top Takeaways from the DII Global July 2025 Update

• India rose from 68th place to 65th due to one of this month’s largest AI/Machine Learning investment growth increases. It overtook China for the first time in the history of the DII Global. China’s fall from 67th place to 69th resulted primarily from below-average currency performance and lagging growth in AI/Machine Learning investments.
• Maintaining its AAA rating from the S&P 500, The Netherlands rose from 12th place to 11th
• As The Netherlands rose, Germany fell from 11th to 12th, largely due to a considerable decline in monthly AI/Machine Learning investment growth.
• Chile rose from 22nd place to 20th, passing Austria, due to venture capital investment growth and solid currency performance.
• South Korea also rose by one place, from 14th to 13th, due to a strong currency performance and strong AI/Machine Learning venture capital investment growth. It switched places with Estonia, which experienced weaker currency performance and slower overall venture capital investment trends.
• Ghana’s rise of 12 places to 134th, was also due to a stronger relative currency performance.
• Tonga rose from 110th to 99th, a jump of 11 ranks, while Namibia saw its ranking improve from 123rd to 114th, an improvement of 9 ranks in the DII Global, both as a result of strong relative currency performance.
• Holding onto its ‘stable’ outlook from the S&P 500 while also registering growth in AI/Machine Learning venture capital investments, Armenia rose from 70th to 63rd.
• Greece also improved in the rankings, rising from 53rd to 47th, after its S&P 500 Country Risk Rating was raised from BBB- to BBB.
• Jordan fell by 12 places due to weak currency and AI/Machine Learning venture capital investment performance, finished 109th overall.
• The Dominican Republic fell by eight places in the DII Global, this month’s second largest decline, caused by one of the largest declines globally on the World Uncertainty Index.

“China fell to 69th place this month, despite having the world’s second largest economy,” said BizWorld Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “In addition to the current trade war, China has some major long-term challenges, including a rapidly aging population, drastic declines in foreign direct investment, and the long-term consequences of its real estate crisis, which began in 2021 and shows no signs of slowing down.

The DII Global will release monthly updates to continually reflect the latest developments in global innovation and entrepreneurship, available here.

About BizWorld

BizWorld.org is a global non-profit organization based in Oakland, CA, whose mission is to enable youth from all backgrounds to unlock the power of entrepreneurship to create career opportunities, inspire self-reliance, and build confidence that drives economic prosperity globally.     Founded over 25 years ago by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, BizWorld.org programs teach students real-world 21st century skills and leadership that encourage them to become responsible leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. More than 850,000 students in more than 100 countries have participated in BizWorld programs. https://www.bizworld.org/