10 Most Advanced Countries in Science

2. China

China ranks second with 6,597 patents and over 3.6 million published journals. The country has also produced more than 27,000 PhD awardees. According to Journalists Resource, China will overtake the U.S. in R&D spending by 2022. In fact, 51.7% of China’s economic growth in 2011 is attributed to scientific advancements.

Back in 2006, the Chinese government launched the “Indigenous Innovation” campaign that aims to make China a “science powerhouse” by 2020. The country also aims to attract Chinese scientists abroad to go back to the Mainland.