R&D
Key findings
Do governments support research, science education and other sources of innovation?
R&D scores are weighted composites. A qualitative policy assessment [ 
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with five quantitative measures [ 
] each contributing an additional one-tenth.
Scores and methodology
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with five quantitative measures [ ] each contributing an additional one-tenth. Scores and methodology
R&DKey findings: R&D policy
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
8.1
1
7.8
2
7.4
3
7.4
7.3
5
7.2
6
6.8
7
6.4
8
6.4
6.2
10
Levels of public research and development spending are high across this group of countries, but with varying patterns of success.
In Japan and Luxembourg, private R&D spending outstrips public, with few administrative barriers to innovation. The United States provides research tax credits to businesses. Germany has reversed a long decline in public research funding, but bureaucratic barriers remain high.
Several countries (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden) focus public funding on sectoral areas, particularly environmental and information technology.
Sweden is the OECD's top research funder, but like Finland and Switzerland, has some difficulties commercializing research. Finland concentrates on applied research at the expense of basic science.
In Japan and Luxembourg, private R&D spending outstrips public, with few administrative barriers to innovation. The United States provides research tax credits to businesses. Germany has reversed a long decline in public research funding, but bureaucratic barriers remain high.
Several countries (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden) focus public funding on sectoral areas, particularly environmental and information technology.
Sweden is the OECD's top research funder, but like Finland and Switzerland, has some difficulties commercializing research. Finland concentrates on applied research at the expense of basic science.
6.0
11
5.8
12
5.8
5.6
14
5.6
5.5
16
5.5
5.4
18
5.2
19
In this middle group, R&D spending is generally fairly high, or has been a subject of considerable focus by recent governments.
In a number of countries, research and innovation has played a large part in government policy agendas (Ireland, UK, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain). Ireland’s government has substantially raised spending levels.
Overall research spending is relatively high in France and Austria, but trails in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Comparatively few patents are granted in the UK, New Zealand, and Spain. The Netherlands and Belgium provide incentives for private research.
In a number of countries, research and innovation has played a large part in government policy agendas (Ireland, UK, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain). Ireland’s government has substantially raised spending levels.
Overall research spending is relatively high in France and Austria, but trails in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Comparatively few patents are granted in the UK, New Zealand, and Spain. The Netherlands and Belgium provide incentives for private research.
4.1
20
4.0
21
4.0
3.7
23
3.7
3.6
25
3.4
26
3.2
27
3.1
28
2.5
29
1.6
30
In this group of countries, overall investment in R&D is often low, or barriers prevent research from being productively commercialized.
Absolute expenditure on research is low in a number of countries (Hungary, Norway, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Turkey, Mexico, Greece). Levels have fluctuated due to resource constraints in the Czech Republic.
Norway's research sector is government-led, and uncompetitive. Portugal’s private-sector R&D investments are minimal.
Commercialization has proved elusive in Slovakia, Poland and Turkey. The Polish government has promised to improve funding.
Absolute expenditure on research is low in a number of countries (Hungary, Norway, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Turkey, Mexico, Greece). Levels have fluctuated due to resource constraints in the Czech Republic.
Norway's research sector is government-led, and uncompetitive. Portugal’s private-sector R&D investments are minimal.
Commercialization has proved elusive in Slovakia, Poland and Turkey. The Polish government has promised to improve funding.
Rationale
In a high-tech world, R&D and scientific education can be critical to maintaining an innovative economy.
This criterion examines subsidies and incentives for research institutions conducting basic and applied research, as well as for start-up companies translating that research into products and enhanced productivity.
Bureaucratic impediments to research and innovation are evaluated as a brake on this process.
Performance comparison
Use drop-down menus for selections. In all cases, higher scores reflect better performance.
