China Surpasses US in R&D Spending
According to a Japanese government report, China's total expenditure on research and development in 2024 exceeded that of the United States, placing it first globally.
Tokyo – China has overtaken the United States in combined research and development (R&D) spending by corporations and universities, according to a report released by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). In 2024, China's R&D expenditure reached an estimated 97.1 trillion yen (approximately 4.15 trillion RMB), marking a 13.1% increase year-on-year. The U.S. spent 95.3 trillion yen (approximately 4.07 trillion RMB), with a growth rate of 6.7%.
The report, titled "Science and Technology Indicators 2026," is published annually by the MEXT's National Institute of Science and Technology Policy. It evaluates major countries across five fields, including R&D expenditure and personnel, using approximately 160 indicators. The 2026 edition utilizes data up to 2024.
China's leading position in R&D investment reflects its strategic focus on scientific and technological advancement. Further data from China's Institute of Scientific and Technical Information in October 2025 indicates the country leads globally in the number of influential journal articles and high-level international publications. While China leads in the quantity of highly cited papers, its count of the most cited papers is nearly on par with the U.S., indicating a narrowing gap.