Israel 3rd-to-last in science development

A new report by an international economic organization has put Israel at the bottom of its list for the development of scientific personnel.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced that Israel holds the 28th place from among the 30 OECD members in the development of scientific personnel, Israeli news website, Ynet reported.

The announcement was made at the Knesset on Monday by the director of the National Council for Civil Research and Development, Ronnie Dayan.

The report also added that the council receives only 4 percent of Israel’s budget.

The OECD originated in 1948 as the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC), led by Robert Marjolin of France, to help the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.

In 1961, the group was reformed into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, seeking to boost living standards and financial stability while contributing to growth in world trade.

The OECD’s headquarters are based in the French capital city of Paris.