US predominance in science and technology (S&T) eroded during the last decade, as several Asian nations - particularly China and South Korea - rapidly increased their innovation capacities. According to a report released recently by the National Science Board (NSB), the major Asian economies, taken together, now perform a larger share of global research and development (R&D) than the US, and China performs nearly as much of the world's high-tech manufacturing as the US.
Since 2001, the share of the world's R&D performed in the US and Europe has decreased, respectively, from 37 to 30 percent and from 26 to 22 percent. In this same time period, the share of worldwide R&D performed by Asian countries grew from 25 to 34 percent. China led the Asian expansion, with its global share growing from just 4 to 15 percent during this period.
"The first decade of the 21st century continues a dramatic shift in the global scientific landscape," said NSB Chairman Dan Arvizu, who is also the director and chief executive of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "Emerging economies understand the role science and innovation play in the global marketplace and in economic competitiveness and have increasingly placed a priority on building their capacity in science and technology."
Recognition on the part of national leaders that S&T innovation contributes to national competitiveness, improves living standards and furthers social welfare has driven the rapid growth in R&D in many countries. China and South Korea have catalyzed their domestic R&D by making significant investments in the S&T research enterprise and enhancing S&T training at universities, according to a release announcing the findings.
In addition to investing in their research and teaching enterprises, these countries have focused their attention on crucial sectors of the global economy, including high-tech manufacturing and clean energy. The size of China's high-tech manufacturing industry increased nearly six-fold between 2003 and 2012, raising China's global share of high-tech manufacturing from 8 to 24 percent during that decade, closing in on the US share of 27 percent.
"The United States remains the world's leader in science and technology," said Ray Bowen, NSB member and chairman of its Committee on Science and Engineering Indicators, which oversees development of the report. "But there are numerous indicators showing how rapidly the world is changing and how other nations are challenging our predominance. As other countries focus on increasing their innovation capacities, we can ill afford to stand still. We now face a competitive environment undreamed of just a generation ago."