Innovation and development around the world, 1960-2000

Daniel Lederman

"The authors present a database of indicators of innovative activity around the world since the early 1960s. The data include measures of innovation outcomes as well as variables related to innovation effort. The main indicator of innovation outputs is patents. The main variables related to innovation inputs are investment in research and development (R&D) and technical personnel (engineers, scientists) working in R&D activities. The sources of these data are publicly available (OECD, UNESCO, etc.), yet there have been few attempts at double checking the consistency of these data and digitizing observations dating back to the 1960s. After discussing the sources and definitions of the data, the authors examine trends and patterns of innovation outputs and inputs by looking at the over-time behavior of the relevant series and comparing the performance of developing and high-income...