The State of Science, Technology and Innovation

January 13, 2011 By Aminda

A recent study published by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reviews key trends in science, technology and innovation (STI) in OECD countries and a number of major emerging economies. Using the latest available data and indicators, the study looks at the role STI will play in recovery from the global economic crisis. While OECD countries show divergent practices, overall, indicators show that investment in R&D has slowed in these countries. For example:

In OECD countries, real growth in R&D spending slowed between 2007 and 2008, with annual growth falling from over 4% in recent years to 3.1%.
Patent numbers grew steadily at an average annual rate of 2.4% from 1995 to 2008, though growth has weakened in recent years, and the number of OECD-area patents fell in 2008. Similarly, trademarks, which measure product or marketing advances, fell by 20% in 2008.

On a positive note, all OECD countries except the United States increased their output of scientific articles between 1998 and 2008 and more than 20 OECD governments now provide fiscal incentives to encourage business R&D, up from 12 in 1995 and 18 in 2004. On the other hand, the situation in some non-OECD economies is brighter as STI activities are intensifying and expanding:

China’s real gross domestic expenditure on R&D in 2008 was equivalent to 13.1% of the OECD total, up from around 5% in 2001. The Russian Federation’s R&D spending of USD 17 billion (constant 2000 dollars, PPP) in 2008 was equal to 2.2% of the OECD total, close to the shares of Canada and Italy.
Renewable-energy patents filed by the “BRIICS” countries — Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa — came in at an average of 1.07% in 2007, the last year for which international patent figures are available. That figure is above the world average of 0.89%

These fast-growing developing countries are also passing on their STI less-developed nations. South Korea is providing loans and grants to Tanzania to bolster clinical teaching and hospital facilities, while China is helping the African country to develop a state-of-the-art cardiology unit. Meanwhile, India, Brazil and South Africa are collaborating on nanotechnology projects and training researchers together. This kind of cooperation “is hastening the ability of developing countries to innovate, to face global challenges including energy supplies and climate change, and to fight against poverty”, says Mario Cervantes, a senior economist in the OECD’s science and technology division, as quoted in an article by Nature News.

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India, Brazil and South Africa are collaborating on nanotechnology projects and training researchers together. This kind of cooperation "is hastening the ability of developing countries to innovate, to face global challenges including energy supplies and climate change, and to fight against poverty"

Developing countries have more problems than science and technology. Although this cooperation does not help things.
Posted by Fred M. on September 13, 2011

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