China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D in 2024
A new report indicates that China has surpassed the United States in total research and development spending for the first time, reaching 97.1 trillion yen in 2024. While China leads in total spending and top-tier research citations, Japan continues to focus on improving its global standing in scientific output.
Why it matters
This shift in R&D spending signals a major change in the global landscape of scientific innovation and technological competitiveness.
An analysis on research and development spending in major countries in 2024 found that China surpassed the United States for the first time to take the top spot, with Japan ranking third, according to the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTP).
According to the “Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2026” compiled by the NISTP, under the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, total research and development spending by governments, companies, universities and other entities in China reached ¥97.1 trillion, a 13.1 % increase from the previous year. This marked the first time that China surpassed the United States (at ¥95.3 trillion, up 6.7 % from the previous year), which had held the top spot since the 1980s.
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