15 Most Advanced Countries in Asia in 2024

4. Israel

Global Innovation Index Rank (2023): 14

R&D Expenditure as a Share of GDP (2021): 5.56%

Human Development Index Score (2022): 0.915

Overall Score: 4

Israel is the most technologically advanced country in the Middle East. It ranks 14th in the world, and sixth in Asia. Moreover, it spends the highest share of its GDP on R&D expenditure in the continent according to the World Bank – measured at a fraction under 6% in 2021. Israel is positioned at 25th in the world among 193 countries and territories for its human development.