Global investments in intangible assets such as software, data, and research reached an unprecedented $10 trillion in 2025, driven largely by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, according to a new United Nations report. India, alongside Japan and the Philippines, ranks among the fastest-growing intangible investment economies within a group accounting for over half of global GDP.
- Global intangible investments hit $10 trillion in 2025, led by the US and Japan.
- India ranks among the fastest-growing markets for intangible asset investment.
- Software and data investment grew 7.3% annually over the last decade.
What happened
Investments in intangible assets including software, data, research and development, brands, design, and organizational knowledge surged to over $10 trillion globally in 2025. This figure marks an all-time high across 29 leading economies studied, which collectively represent 57% of global GDP. The data was presented by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in its World Intangible Investment Highlights 2026 report, co-published with Luiss Business School.
Between 2008 and 2025, real annual growth in intangible investments was recorded at 3.5%, far exceeding the 0.98% growth rate seen in tangible asset investment. Notably, India was identified along with Japan and the Philippines as some of the fastest-growing markets for intangible capital. The United States continues to dominate with nearly $5 trillion in intangible assets, supported by significant investments in technology and brand development.
Why it matters
The results demonstrate a durable shift in economic structure where intangible assets are increasingly critical to value creation and competitive advantage. In a landscape shaped by technological advancement and digital transformation, intangibles like software, data management, and R&D underpin innovation and productivity gains more than traditional physical assets.
AI plays a pivotal role in this transformation, initially driving physical infrastructure investments such as data centers and semiconductors, but more importantly fueling ongoing growth through software development, data analytics, research, and organizational restructuring. The resilience of intangible investments through global challenges such as high interest rates and trade tensions also underscores their expanding strategic importance to economies worldwide.
What to watch next
Key indicators to monitor include the continued pace of growth in software and database investments, which have shown the highest average annual growth rates (7.3%) among intangible categories over the past decade. Furthermore, brand investment remains significant, with the US leading at over $566 billion in 2025. How emerging markets like India leverage these trends will be critical for their global economic positioning.
Policymakers, investors, and corporations will need to adapt strategies to optimize intangible asset deployment, focusing on innovation ecosystems, intellectual property protections, and workforce skills aligned with AI-driven technologies. The ongoing evolution of intangible asset investment patterns offers insights into future economic power shifts and the sustainability of growth across major global economies.