The article discussed methods of assessment of the innovative potential of member states and parameters taken into account when determining the innovation index. Two ranking lists put forward by the European Commission and by the largest global agency - Bloomberg, in terms of member states innovativeness, were presented. Selected innovation criteria were described, e.g. the number of patent applications made and patents obtained, expenditure on R + D work, number of R + D workers, or the number of website users. Attention was drawn to the position of Poland in the ranking lists, to raise awareness of the great challenges it faces in order to ensure its economic development.
