The UK Innovation Report 2021

Technical notes

1. The data used in the report has been gathered from dynamic databases, which are regularly updated throughout the year. In some cases, the most recent values may be provisional, while earlier data may have been revised as a result of initiatives to expand data completeness and coverage.
2. Data sources aggregate information from a large number of disparate primary sources, and, as such, missing values and discrepancies in the data are to be expected. Data sources might also use different industry classifications and sector groupings.
3. Key data sources include: Office for National Statistics (UK); UNIDO’s Industrial Statistics Database (INDSTAT); OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard; United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade); UIS Statistics (UNESCO); IP Statistics Data Center (WIPO); National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Indicators; and World Bank Education Statistics.
4. For most indicators, the latest available year is 2018. As such, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are not reflected in most of the charts in the report.
5. A flexible approach has been adopted to the selection of countries for international comparison, accounting for factors such as industrial specialisation and data availability. Country rankings can be influenced by the units chosen for comparison and the data source.

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The information contained in this report does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the authors, or their affiliated institutions, concerning the legal status of any country or its authorities. Its content, as well as any data and maps displayed, are without prejudice to the status of, or sovereignty over, any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. Any mention of firm names does not imply endorsement.