The Global Innovation Index 2011 (GII) relies on two sub-indices, the Innovation Input Sub-Index and the Innovation Output Sub-Index, each built around pillars.

Five input pillars capture elements of the national economy that enable innovative activities: (1) Institutions, (2) Human capital and research, (3) Infrastructure, (4) Market sophistication, and (5) Business sophistication. Two output pillars capture actual evidence of innovation outputs: (6) Scientific outputs and (7) Creative outputs.

Each pillar is divided into sub-pillars and each sub-pillar is composed of individual indicators. Sub-pillar scores are calculated as the weighted average of individual indicators; pillar scores are calculated as the simple average of the sub-pillar scores. Four measures are then calculated:

• The Innovation Input Sub-Index is the simple average of the first five pillar scores.
• The Innovation Output Sub- Index is the simple average of the last two pillar scores.
• The overall GII is the simple average of the Input and Output Sub-Indices.
• The Innovation Efficiency Index is the ratio of the Output Sub- Index over the Input Sub-Index.