STOCKHOLM, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Sweden leads the world in science and innovation, Radio Sweden reported on Thursday quoting a new international survey by the United Nations education, science and culture body UNESCO.

    The UNESCO Science Report 2005 ranked Sweden in first place for innovation in science and technology research, ahead of Japan and the United States. Finland, Switzerland, the UK and Denmark were also among the top seven nations.

    The report, written by an international team of independent experts, said a small number of emerging Asian economies, led by China, were challenging the leadership of North America, Europe and Japan in this field.

    It noted that while countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France are losing momentum, Sweden is not only the world leader in the field but is moving ahead in innovation faster than any other nation.

    The report used a range of benchmarks to gauge countries' performance in R&D and science, including citations in scientific journals, patents, and higher education structures.

    It observed that Sweden spends more than four percent of its gross domestic product on research and development. Three-quarters of this funding comes from private business. Enditem