World's top 10 technology driven nations

Developed countries spend billions of dollars every year on research and development of new technologies to make our lives easier.

Scientific research has become an integral part of a nation's economic stability. We present the Top 10 List of the world's most technologically oriented nations.

1. Finland

Finland is most technologically-oriented country in the world.

Well known for high-technology projects and healthcare facilities, Finland ranks as the best country in the world in the 2010 Newsweek survey in terms of health, economic dynamism, education, political environment and quality of life.

Finland has a highly industrialised mixed economy with a per capita output equal to that of other European economies such as France, Germany, Belgium or the UK.

2. USA

The United States has been a leader in scientific research and technological innovation since the late 19th century.

Alexander Graham Bell won the first US patent for the telephone in 1876. America holds the credit for some of the major inventions like the long-lasting light bulb, and the first viable movie camera, alternating current, the AC motor, and radio.

The government has invested in scientific research and technological development leading to major breakthroughs in spaceflight, computing, and biotechnology. It also has the world's highest number of scientific research papers.

3. Japan

Japan is known for its prowess in consumer electronics, robotics and the automotive industry.

Japan is one of the leading nations in the fields of scientific research, technology, machinery and medical research. It has world's third largest budget for research and development at $130 billion and over 677,731 researchers.

Japan also holds the distinction of receiving the maximum number of science Nobel prizes in Asia. Japan has more than half of the world's industrial robots used in the manufacturing sector.

4. Sweden

A research powerhouse, Sweden allocates about four per cent of GDP to research and development (R&D).

Sweden tops European comparative statistics both in terms of research investments as a percentage of GDP and in the number of published scientific works per capita.

5. Republic of Korea

Korea shines in the field of electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics.

The world's second walking human robot-HUBO was made in Korea. Korea plans to have a robot in every house.

The broadband speed is unparalleled, almost 3 times than that of United States.

6. The Netherlands

The Netherlands has a highly developed electrotechnical industry that manufactures computers, telecommunication systems, electronic measurement and control equipment, electric switching gear and transformers, and medical and scientific instruments.

Dutch firms play a major role in the European Space Agency. The Netherlands has made significant strides with inventions like the artificial kidney, compact disc, microscope, pendulum clock and telescope.

7. United Kingdom

The world's sixth largest economy by nominal GDP and eighth largest economy by purchasing power parity plays an important role.

The world's first industrialised country has to its credit the discovery of hydrogen, invention of locomotive engine, jet engine, World Wide Web, incandescent light-bulb; world's first working television, electric motor, and commercial electrical telegraph.

8. Singapore

Singapore has been ranked amongst the world's ten most open competitive and innovative nations.

One of the most business-friendly economies, it has a S$1.35 billion Industry Alignment Fund to help Singapore become an innovation driven and knowledge-based economy.

The fund will be used for public and private-sector projects in research and development.

9. Canada

Canada has a highly developed technology sector. The government allocates 1.8 per cent of its GDP for research and development.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Council was launched in May 2007 to improve quality of life for Canadians through science and technology.

Canada is investing heavily in science and technology to create more jobs and build a stronger economy.

10. Australia

Australia is the world's thirteenth largest economy.

It scores high in human development, quality of life, health care, life expectancy, public education and economic freedom.

The main focus of research and development is on information and communications, biotechnology and manufacturing.

Australia's strength lies in the areas of astronomical and space sciences.