Europe is losing ground in semiconductor research

Research and development in semiconductor technology is increasingly occurring outside Europe, particularly in Asia, according to a new analysis from EconPol Europe. Between 2000 and 2021, Japan accounted for 35% of all semiconductor patents, followed by the USA with 18% and South Korea with 15%. EU countries together accounted for about 10% of global patents. Germany accounts for 5.6% of patents, lagging behind Taiwan (9%) and China (7%). The researcher Oliver Falck notes that while the EU Chips Act aims to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, very little funding has so far gone to semiconductor research, and to avoid falling behind, Europe must also increase international cooperation, especially with Asia