China is catching up with the US in scientific research spending

Expenditure on research and development

China

EU-27

US

$700bn

3.5

600

2.4

Figures as a

% of GDP

500

2.8

2.1

2.7

400

2.6

2.2

2.0

1.9

300

1.7

1.9

200

1.4

100

0

2007

2012

2017

2020

China

EU-27

US

$700bn

3.5%

600

2.4%

Figures as a percentage of GDP

500

2.8%

2.1%

2.7%

400

2.6%

2.2%

2.0%

1.9%

300

1.7%

1.9%

200

1.4%

100

0

2007

2012

2017

2020