Western Europe keeps competitive R&D; edge

17 Jun 2002

The European Union gives a high priority to investments in science and engineering education and research, according to a newly released Data Brief from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Building first-class laboratories, the brief says, is just one of several ways European investment in civilian research and development (R&D;) approaches the U.S. level. In addition, Europe is overtaking the U.S. in the production of Ph.D.s in the natural sciences.

"As the capacity to perform R&D; expands throughout the world, it is increasingly important for the United States to be knowledgeable about the scientific and technological accomplishments of other world regions," says Jean M. Johnson, a senior analyst and author of the NSF Data Brief. The brief summarizes her forthcoming Division of Science Resources Studies (SRS) report, Human Resources for Science and Technology: The European Region (to be released at the end of January 1997).

The U.S. is still a world leader in R&D;, NSF data show, but at least one gap is narrowing: The amount of funds spent on research performed at academic institutions in Western Europe -- about $20 billion in 1992 -- now equals that spent on U.S. campuses. The total combined R&D; investment of Western European countries in 1993 was $103.5 billion, compared to the $137.3 billion spent by the United States. This represents 2.1 percent of Western Europe's combined gross domestic production (GDP), compared to the U.S.'s 2.7 percent.