Studies have found that every dollar invested in R&D generates nearly two dollars in return. While the rate will vary, R&D is an important driver of economic growth. To seize this potential, governments need reliable and precise data. In response, the UIS produces a wide range of indicators on the human and financial resources invested in R&D for countries at all stages of development.

To produce these data, we conduct an annual survey that involves countries and regional partners, such as Eurostat, OECD and RICYT.We also work closely with the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (ASTII) Initiative of the African Union.

By working closely with these partners and national statistical offices, we can align and harmonise the surveys and methodological frameworks used at the global, regional and national levels to ensure that resulting data can be compared across countries. This is essential to gain a global perspective on science and technology.

We also provide training and methodological resources to help countries develop their own national surveys on R&D and improve the quality and use of their data.

Latest News

To support the demand for new data, the UIS, which is mandated to collect STI statistics to monitor the SDGs, is working with countries and statistical partners, represented by the STI Advisory Board...
16/01/2017
As the UN General Assembly prepares to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UNESCO Institute for Statistics has released a new data tool showing the leaders and emerging players in...
12/09/2016
The data were collected through the Institute’s survey on R&D statistics in partnership with regional and international organizations, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and...
16/11/2015
  • Visualisation

    Research and Development Spending

  • Visualisation

    UNESCO eAtlas of Research and Experimental Development

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