Today, the federal cabinet has adopted the federal research report 2006 presented by federal secretary of research Annette Schavan. The report provides a comprehensive and up to date overview about the status quo and development of research in Germany.

In 2006 the federal government has increased its expenditures for research and development (R&D) by 609 million euro or 6.8% to a total of 9.6 billion euro. Until 2010 the spendings for R&D are supposed to reach 3% of the gross domestic product. Therefore the government increases the spendings by 6 billion euro until 2009. Never before in the history of Germany has there been a stronger increase. With a R&D share of 2.5% Germany ranges on place 9 in an international comparison - after OECD states like the USA or Japan, but in front of China, for example. In the European Union Germany holds place 3 after Sweden and Finland.

The federal research report 2006 can be downloaded in German language on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Source: Federal Ministry of Education and Research