The report illustrates that the U.S.'s global position is being challenged by China. In a statement released on March 8, the National Science Board said the Indicators report shows that China has surpassed the U.S. in “STEM talent production, research publications, patents, and knowledge-and technology-intensive manufacturing.” The board also noted it has “sounded the alarm as the U.S.’s lead has eroded on more and more global science and engineering (S&E) metrics” and added, “Every year that the United States does not meet the ambitious, but necessary, pace of investment in our nation’s S&E enterprise set by the CHIPS & Science Act is a year that we cede more ground to our global competitors, endangering U.S. national security and economic prosperity.” (See SSTI’s article on this year’s White House budget here).
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, or NCES, prepares science and technology indicators under the guidance of the National Science Board. NSF releases thematic reports that complement the 2024 Indicators reports throughout the year. The 2024 Indicator report is online here.