R&D; Scientists and Engineers/Labor Force Ratios

This section examines two indicators of R&D; spending: (1) the ratio of total R&D; expenditures to GDP and (2) the ratio of Federal funds expended for R&D; to total Federal funds. Also presented is a comparison of U.S. R&D; resources with those of other countries. These measures and comparisons show that, as a result of the overall recent leveling trend from strong growth in the early eighties, the U.S. commitment to R&D; seems to have plateaued during the past decade. Relative to the increases of its major international competitors, the U.S. R&D; effort has eroded slightly, although many of these countries are also now experiencing a slowing in their R&D; effort.