R&D spending down overall, OECD says

Spending on R&D has yet to recover from the economic crisis in most major economies, says the OECD in its Science, Technology and Industry Outlook. Many countries have reduced spending on science, technology and innovation, with total R&D spending in OECD countries falling by 4.5 per cent in 2009. Although recovery did occur in 2010, in most countries this was only partial and spending did not return to pre-crisis levels, the organisation says.