Sweden, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg are among the European Union member states getting the most out of innovation, according to a newly-launched innovation indicator by the European Commission.

The indicator of "innovation output" measures the extent to which ideas from innovative sectors are able to reach the market, offering better jobs and making Europe more competitive.

"The EU must turn more great ideas into successful products and services in order to lead in the global economy. We also have to close a worrying 'innovation divide,'" the EU's commissioner for research and innovation Maire Geoghegan-Quinn said here on Friday.

The indicator, based on number of patents, knowledge-intensive jobs, knowledge-intensive competitiveness and jobs in fast-growing innovative sectors, was developed at the request of EU leaders to benchmark national innovation policies.

In spite of significant differences among its member states, the EU performs well in an international comparison, being roughly even with the U.S., according to the Commission.

(Source: Xinhua)