Two recent studies by the OECD and the ANRT show that France remains among the most generous countries in terms of R&D tax incentivesbut sees its competitiveness deteriorate in terms of the cost of researchers.
Innovation aid: key data in 2025
Against a backdrop of budgetary pressure and global technological competition, two reports published in spring 2025 provide a better understanding of France's positioning in innovation support policy:
- OECD - April 2025: focus on the weight of R&D tax incentives
- ANRT - March 2025: comparative study on the cost of researcher after CIR
Tax support for R&D remains a major lever worldwide
According to the OECD tax incentives for research (CIR, CII) have become the the main form of public support for innovationrepresenting an average of 55 % of total support in OECD countries - and up to 85 % in China.
- 34 OECD countries out of 38 offer tax incentives, with a particular focus on SMEs, which benefit from higher subsidy rates than large companies.
- France, Portugal and Iceland among the most generous countries in fiscal support for R&D (France: 0.28 % of GDP in 2023).
- After a period of growth, the level of tax subsidies has stabilizedbut remains high and essential for the competitiveness of innovative companies.
Rankings :
Remarks :
- For tax incentives, the classification is precise and published by the OECD.
- For direct aidThe report does not detail the world's top 5, but highlights Iceland, Portugal and France for total support (fiscal + direct), reflecting their leadership in direct aid too.
The cost of a researcher in France: a weakened advantage
TheANRT 2025 study reveals France's attractiveness has declined since 2011from 3e at 7e place in the international ranking of the cost of a researcher (after CIR). The fall could continue with the reduction of the CIR in 2025...
The cost of a researcher in France remains competitive thanks to the CIR (index 73, base France without aid = 100), but the gap is narrowing with other European countries (Spain, Italy, UK).
Recent reforms to the CIRThese measures, particularly the reduction in operating costs and the abolition of the "young doctor" scheme, have worsened France's position and could accelerate the relocation of R&D staff.
Without the CIR, France would be the 2nde most expensive country on the panel, just behind the United States.
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