Research Boom in Developing World
Source: The Scientist.com, Oct 6th, 2009
Science funding in developing countries grew three times more rapidly than in
developed countries between 2002 and 2007, says a report released last week (
Oct. 6) from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics in
country-by-country analysis shows that not all developing regions consider
supporting research a priority.
"I am delighted with the increase in funding," said Mohamed H.A. Hassan,
executive director of the
international organization that promotes science-based sustainable development
. However, he said, "we have a long way to go in our efforts to build both
capacity and excellence in science in developing countries."
Developing countries nearly doubled their annual spending on research and
development between 2002 and 2007, from $135 billion to $274 billion. That
spending accounted for 24% of the world's total R&D budget in 2007, an
increase of 7% from 2002. They also increased their global share of
researchers, from 30.3% (1.8 million) to 38.4% (2.7 million).
While the figures are promising, warned Martin Schaaper, one of the authors of
the UNESCO report, they do not represent equal improvement in funding in all
developing countries.
39% of all R&D spending and 53% of researchers in the developing world.
Of the 149 developing countries surveyed for the report, China also had the
largest percentage, 1.5% in 2007, of gross domestic product (GDP) allocated to
R&D. Based on the UN's definition of "developing" and "developed," only four
other countries -- Korea, Singapore, Tunisia, and Brazil -- dedicated more
than 1.0% of their GDP to R&D. Taiwan also allocated more than 1.0%, said
Schaaper, but because the UN does not recognize the economy of Taiwan, it was
not included in the statistical analysis. Also, several countries recognized
by the World Bank but not the UN as "developing" allocated approximately 1.0%
or more of their GDP to R&D, including Montenegro, the Russian Federation,
Belarus, and South Africa. On average, African countries budgeted 0.4% of
their GPD to R&D. In comparison, developed countries averaged 2.3% in 2007.
"We weren't surprised by the increase in funding," said Schaaper. "Developing
countries have realized that supporting R&D is a main component of economic
growth and we have seen several recent science policy reforms as a result."
But it is still not enough, he said, considering approximately 80% of the
world's population lives in these regions.
Hassan also noted that even though there has been a slight increase in
research reported in peer-reviewed publications from scientists in developing
countries, the additional R&D funding has not produced influential science. "
The money could be more effectively targeted" to promote excellence in
education and higher quality research, he said.
The
every two years. Full details of the institute's results can be found on its
website