‘Science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship – which foster competitiveness, productivity, and job creation – are important mechanisms for encouraging sustainable growth. The 260 indicators in the OECD Science, Technology and Industry (STI) Scoreboard 2013 show how OECD and partner economies are performing in a wide range of areas to help governments design more effective and efficient policies and monitor progress towards their desired goals.’

“Investment in innovation remains a priority. 27 of the 34 OECD countries and a number of partner economies now indirectly support business R&D via tax incentives. In 2011, the RussianFederation, Korea, France and Slovenia provided the most combined – direct and indirect – support for business R&D as a percentage of GDP. In Canada and Australia, indirect funding of business R&Dexceeded direct funding by a factor of five. New estimates show that the cost to a firm of investing in R&D depends on its size, location and balance sheet. In 2013, Australia, Canada, France, Korea,the Netherlands and Portugal are giving more generous treatment to SMEs. Young, dynamic firms contribute more to job creation than previously recognised. Between 2008 and 2011, net employment in the OECD area fell by 2%, or 9 million people, two-thirds of them in the United States. The manufacturing and construction sectors were the hardest hit but information industries – ICT manufacturing,publishing or telecommunication services – suffered too. During the crisis, most jobs destroyed reflected thedownsizing of mature businesses; net job growth in young firms (5 years old or less) remained positive.”