The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) 2010 science report shows R&D changes, highlighted by the US, Europe and Japan being challenged by emerging countries. The three, known as the Triad countries, are still at the forefront of the global R&D effort, but are facing competition in particular from China, India and Korea. The Triad countries’ share of gross domestic R&D expenditure decreased from 2002 to 2007. In 2002, nearly 83% of R&D took place in developed countries. This number declined to 76% in 2007. China’s share of scientific publications increased from 5.2% in 2002 to 10.6% in 2008. Scientific publications among developed nations dropped from 84% in 2002 to 75% in 2008. The Triad countries have maintained their top status regarding patents. The majority of patents filed between 2002 and 2006 were to US, European and Japanese patent offices. Developing countries accounted for less than 5% of the total number of patents filed in that period.

Source: UNESCO