> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🏫 Medtech R&D Expenditure Grew. APAC To Lead Global Semiconductor Spending. Teachers Earned 25% Less. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/medtech-r-d-expenditure-grew-apac-to-lead-global-semiconductor-spending-teachers-earned-25-less/ - Published: 2026-01-02T12:30:14.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-02T12:30:13.000Z - Description: Chart of the Day #511 Looks at Teacher Pay Gap in US, Medtech R&D Expenditure, and Global Spending on Semiconductors by Region. - Author: QS - Tags: Charts **Happy New Year! 🎆** Aberdeenshire Oil & Gas workers to gain new [training](https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/government-fuels-green-skills-drive-for-aberdeenshire-s-oil-and-gas-workers/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for clean energy careers. Honolulu CC launches first advanced manufacturing training hub to [build local workforce](https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2025/08/07/advanced-manufacturing-training-program-at-honolulu-cc/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). Women’s Health startup secures [$30M](https://www.businessinsider.com/pitch-deck-got-valerie-health-30-million-redpoint-ventures-2025-12?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to scale healthcare innovation. US Attorney receives [grants](https://www.southwestledger.news/news/usao-receives-2-state-regents-grants-workforce-development-programs?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for workforce programs. PowerSchool [launched](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250519524070/en/PowerSchool-Introduces-Coaching-Mentoring-an-AI-Powered-Solution-to-Support-Educator-Growth-and-Retention?ref=newsletters.qs.com) an AI-powered Coaching & Mentoring platform to improve district teacher growth, retention, and instructional quality. Pearson’s Connections Academy [partners](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pearsons-connections-academy-teams-up-with-skillsusa-to-boost-college-and-career-readiness-302466323.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) with SkillsUSA, boosting college and career readiness for over 1M students. Vietnam [introduced](https://www.vietnam.vn/en/tap-huan-ky-nang-su-dung-tri-tue-nhan-tao-mien-phi-cho-2-trieu-thanh-nien?ref=newsletters.qs.com) a free AI training initiative targeting 2M youth by 2026 through youth unions. The UK has introduced a $4B skills [initiative](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/uk-spend-billions-job-training-cut-reliance-migrant-workers-2025-05-26/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to reduce reliance on foreign labor by enhancing domestic workforce training. ### Today's Topics 🏫 **K12 Education.** Teachers earned 25% less than their graduate peers **⚕️ Health Skills.** Medtech R&D expenditure grew with demand for advanced healthcare 🏭 **Advanced Manufacturing.** APAC to extend status as central hub for semiconductors Thanks for reading! **Not a subscriber yet?** [Subscribe Now](https://newsletters.qs.com/#/portal/) --- ## 🏫 Teachers Earned 25% Less Than Their Graduate Peers [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/data-src-image-0ed599a5-8144-445a-8650-7a5764cbc3d7.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCH5G86G1GQ6VUY2WUN8/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) [The teacher pay gap ](https://www.thethinkacademy.com/blog/edubriefs-teacher-pay-gap-and-the-us-teacher-shortage-crisis/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)in the US has widened considerably to over 25% in 2023, marking the highest differential since data collection began in 1979\. This stark wage penalty reflects a decades-long trajectory where educators earn substantially [less than](https://www.investopedia.com/college-graduates-in-this-profession-now-earn-27-percent-less-than-peers-a-record-breaking-income-gap-11816850?ref=newsletters.qs.com) comparable college graduates, accelerating sharply from around 6% in the mid-1990s. This compensation crisis contributes to persistent teacher shortages nationwide. In 2021, the [American Rescue Plan](https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2021/03/FINAL%5FARP-ESSER-FACT-SHEET.pdf?ref=newsletters.qs.com) allocated $122B through the Department of Education to support K-12 schools, including provisions for improving educator compensation and addressing staffing shortages. ## **⚕️** Medtech R&D Expenditure Grew With Demand for Advanced Healthcare [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/data-src-image-021c617c-c73c-4933-9c27-7f71a2d08b23.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHRZTZBM1HH4IVVTN82/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) R&D spending among top medtech companies climbed nearly 90% from 2014 to 2024, reaching approximately $22B by 2022 before stabilising. This sustained investment reflects industry priorities in artificial intelligence integration, minimally invasive devices, and digital surgery platforms. Leading firms now allocate [7-8% of revenues to R&D](https://www.frost.com/growth-opportunity-news/healthcare/healthcare-it/key-trends-in-medtech-rd-investments-innovating-healthcare-solutions/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), with AI-enabled medical devices surpassing [1K FDA clearances](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01800-1?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in 2024, more than tenfold the 2020 count. The FDA established its Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning [Medical Device Action Plan in 2021](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-releases-artificial-intelligencemachine-learning-action-plan?ref=newsletters.qs.com), creating regulatory pathways for adaptive algorithms and advancing healthcare innovation. ## 🏭 APAC To Extend Status As Central Hub for Semiconductors [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/data-src-image-eef6671b-8577-4191-9071-9888f213df3c.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCHZSJR1249Y746WEP9G/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) APAC leads with nearly 70% of global semiconductor equipment spending through 2030, with the USA accounting for nearly 25% while EMEA and other regions remain marginal at 8% combined. This concentration reflects Taiwan, South Korea, and China [driving equipment investments](https://www.precedenceresearch.com/semiconductor-capital-equipment-market?ref=newsletters.qs.com) as foundries expand cutting-edge fabrication capacity and advanced packaging facilities to supply surging AI chip demand. China[ accelerates domestic equipment ](https://www.yolegroup.com/strategy-insights/china-cracking-global-market-for-chip-making-equipment-monthly-billet/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)purchases despite export restrictions, while Taiwan and South Korea dominate leading-edge production. The US CHIPS and Science Act, signed in August 2022, deployed [$52B](https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/startups-tech/technology/biden-signs-order-us52b-chips-law-implementation?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in subsidies to reshore manufacturing and reduce strategic dependence on Asian supply chains. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* Request a demo for unlimited access to over one million charts* [Request a Demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=246933147.4a0f9c817dbdb1552dab36c635584622.1688407869224.1749831404162.1749845959660.481&%5F%5Fhssc=246933147.4.1749845959660&%5F%5Fhsfp=4268195782&ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or want to sponsor this newsletter? Let us know at [qs.com.](https://www.qs.com/contact-us/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)