The nation's innovative capacity in science and technology has ranked 12th out of a group of 30 of the world's most advanced countries.

The Science and Technology Ministry said it developed the Composite Science & Technology Innovation Index or COSTII to measure national innovative capacity.

South Korea scored nearly eleven points, more than a point higher than the average score of nine-point-eight for members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The United States took the top spot with a 20-point-seven, followed by Switzerland, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden. Mexico ranked the lowest among OECD members.

The index assesses a nation’s innovative capacity in five categories: resources, environment, processes, activities and achievements. The assessment is based on data published by the Paris-based OECD, the International Institute for Management Development and the World Economic Forum.