This is the sixth edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS). The EIS is the instrument developed by the European Commission, under the Lisbon Strategy, to evaluate and compare the innovation performance of the EU Member States. The EIS 2006 includes innovation indicators and trend analyses for the EU25 Member States, plus the two new Member States: Bulgaria and Romania, as well as for Croatia, Turkey, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, the US and Japan. The Annex includes tables with definitions as well as comprehensive data sheets for every country. The EIS report and its annexes, accompanying thematic papers and the indicators database are available at http://www.proinno-europe.eu/inno-metrics.html. The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national.