AbstractAnalysis of the recently updated CHI/NSF Science Literature Indicators Database suggests that the decline in the UK's share of world publications, which was especially pronounced during the 1970s, levelled off between 1984 and 1986. The fall in the UK share of citations has also slowed appreciably.However, the figures for more basic research articles from the UK show little sign of a halt in the downward trend in output and impact. Furthermore, UK performance is weak and deteriorating in several scientific areas likely to be important for future industrial competitiveness.