Innovation and economic complexity in BRICS

Abstract

This paper has the purpose of comparing the innovation index of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries with their economic complexity (EC) from 2011 to 2014. The research was constructed through two databases: The Atlas of Economic Complexity and the Global Innovation Index. The results show that India and Brazil declined the most in the innovation ranking. Russia had the worst drop in the EC ranking. China climbed up seven positions in the EC ranking, but presented stagnation in innovation. South Africa showed the most similarities in the comparison, climbing up in both rankings. The conclusion reached is that the EC ranking and the innovation ranking are not equivalent; they display discrepancies regarding the rises and declines among BRICS countries.