Chapter 6: Science & Engineering Indicators 93
Germany
During the 1970s (1973-80), German industry led the industrialized world in R& D growth (when calculated in constant purchasing power parities). During the 1980s, while much of the industrialized world tended to focus even more resources on industrial R& D, German industrial R& D growth slowed down. In fact, German R& D grew even slower during the second half of the decade than it did during the already sluggish growth period of the early 1980s.

Total German industry R& D appears to be somewhat less concentrated among the eight industries examined than in the United States, but more so than in Japan. The same five industries have led German industry in R& D performance. (See figure 6-18 and appendix table 6-10.) From 1973 to 1985, the German chemical industry led all other German industries in total R& D performed. The communications equipment industry was the second leading performer during this time. In 1986, the German communications equipment industry became its number one R& D-performing industry, even surpassing Germany's chemical industry (a traditional strong R& D performer in Germany) and has retained that position through 1990.

An examination of those other industries that were among the top five R& D performers in Germany mirrors that country's commercial prominence as a supplier of world-class machinery and motor vehicles. During the second half of the 1980s, the German computer and office equipment industry and its pharmaceutical industry have shown the most rapid R& D growth among the eight industries. (Click here for footnote 24.) (See figure 6-18.)

Footnote 24:
R& D performance by European Community manufacturers is presented in appendix table 6-11.

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