In today’s tech savvy world, nerds have risen to the top of the food chain.  The best and brightest are put to work in today’s top organizations, contributing to innovative products and services that are characteristic of our times.  But where in the world is all that innovation coming from, and where are its talents being sent?

Have you ever wondered which countries invest the most in research and development?  Or where the most productive researchers and scientists come from?  Or even where these experts choose to conduct their research?

Super Scholar created a fact-packed infographic entitled “Brian Trust” that details information about the current affairs and the future of scientific research and development spending.

How the US compares to global R&D trends

The infographic showed that the United States is the biggest spender when it comes to scientific research and development compared to other countries in the world.  It spends more that $400 billion in scientific research and development related to national defense, health, and space and flight.  However, despite the huge budget for research and development, 67 percent of researchers report receiving less grant money compared to back in 2010.  Because of this, one out of five American scientists consider pursuing their research overseas.  On a positive note, 56 percent of researchers and scientist still see the US as an attractive location for their research.

As a region, the Americas fall second to Asia when it comes to spending for research and development.  Asia spends more as a region at 36.7 percent with funds originating in the Asian region.  For the Americas, spending is at 36 percent, followed by Europe at 24.1 percent.

Finland has the highest scientific and engineering researchers per capita, followed by Sweden, with Japan in third.  The US only places 7th in having big brains but its the country with the highest number of patents per capita, followed by Japan, then Switzerland.

As stated above, the US has the highest spending when it comes to research and development but in a survey done from readers of Nature Magazine, many voted for China as delivering the greatest scientific impact by the year 2020.  Fifty-nine percent rooted for China, followed closely by the US at 36 percent, then third is India with 29 percent.

China is focused on research and development in the areas of nanotechnology, clean energy, stem cell, and creating new labs and institutes.  As for India, it is focused on the areas of agriculture, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and climate change.

See the entire infographic for the big picture.