Abstract:Based on the 31 provincial panel data of 2005—2014 in China, the spatial econometric model is constructed to analyze the effects of direct R&D and indirect R&D on provincial economic growth. The results show that R&D has become the second most important input factor driving economic growth after capital. Besides, the contributions of direct and indirect R&D to economic growth are equal. Considering from the regional point of view, the maximum driving effect of direct R&D and indirect R&D is the eastern region, and decrease gradually from eastern to central and western regions. The driving effect of labor force is the strongest in central regions, while the driving effect of capital dominates in western regions.