business news item
Human Development Report 2006: Expenditures for Research & Development in USA, Europe and Asia
Based on the 'Human Development Report 2006' german magazin 'Der Spiegel' pointed out that the United States still are leading in overall expenditures on R&D.
304,5 billion USD were spent on R&D by the USA. 247,4 billion USD were spent by the 27 countries of the European Union and 196,1 billion USD were spent by Asia per year in 2000-2003 the Human Development Report 2006 stated. Differences amongst EU countries are small - especially when accounted that population of european countries differs. Germany (leading in Europe) spent 68,5 billion USD, France spent 45,0 billion USD and the United Kingdom spent 40,4 billion. But differences in Asia still are significant: By far Japan still is leading with 143,3 billion USD. China (rank 2 in Asia) spent 25,1 billion, Southkorea (rank 3) spent 17,7 billion. India, the giant in IT services spent only 5,5 billion. So even when China these days tends to an R&D initiate, by far most of expenditures for research and development still is spent in the west and in Japan.
