The world of science and technology is undergoing broad transformation. The leadership role enjoyed by Europe, the United States and Japan is being disputed in many fields. The rise of scientific and technological powerhouses such as China, India or South Korea is turning the 20th century's balance of scientific forces on its head. Even within the European Union, the arrival of new Member States is starting to have an effect on the way roles are cast. If these many movements and forces are to be correctly interpreted, robust quantitative indicators are needed. The fifth edition of Key Figures on S&T - edited for the first time in English - makes such indicators available in a concise and informative presentation. Topics include R&D spending, human resources in research, scientific output as measured by publication, international scientific collaboration tracked via co-publication patterns, and technological production as reflected in patent data.
