Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Innovation in the public sector results from intentional government actions, including investments in skills, technology, innovative policymaking, and process adaptation. These initiatives help public institutions respond more effectively to changing environments and create impactful policies.
Despite these efforts, public confidence in public agencies adopting innovative ideas remains limited, with just under 40% of people across OECD countries believing such agencies are likely to implement innovation to improve services. Enhancing innovation capacity is seen as a way to boost resilience, responsiveness, and public trust in government institutions.
Studies show a direct correlation between confidence in innovation adoption and trust in civil service. Among those confident in public sector innovation, an average of 70% trust civil servants—more than double the trust level of individuals without such confidence.
Governments are increasingly adopting anticipatory innovation governance, integrating foresight, innovation, and continuous learning to address future challenges. The use of behavioural science is also rising, helping to understand how behaviours and social contexts affect policy outcomes from design to evaluation.
Digital government strategies remain central to current innovation efforts, leveraging technology to increase efficiency and strengthen connections with citizens and businesses.