How do we measure the knowledge capacity of a nation? GDP can tell us about economic output. Infrastructure can tell us about physical capacity. But what tells us how well a country can create, develop, connect and use knowledge? A nation's knowledge capacity can be reflected in many things, the strength of its research institutions, its investment in research and development, the talent it develops, its ability to collaborate internationally, and how effectively research moves into innovation, policy, industry and society. Because knowledge does not create value simply by being produced. It creates greater value when a country has the people, institutions and networks needed to move it forward. This raises a bigger question for the global research community: Should national knowledge capacity become a more visible measure of a country's future potential? And if so, what should we measure?