Expenditure for research and development in Cyprus in 2006 has increased compared with previous years according to the results of the ad hoc survey carried out by the Statistical Service for the collection of data on scientific research and experimental development (R & D).
The Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus has announced that total R & D expenditure in Cyprus in 2006 is estimated at €61,4 mn which corresponds to 0,43% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to €54,4 mn or 0,40% of the GDP in 2005 and €46,5 mn or 0,37% in 2004.
According to a press release issued by the Statistical Service, despite the increase of 12,7% recorded in R & D expenditure in 2006 relative to 2005, the share of the GDP of Cyprus devoted to R & D activities continues to be low compared to other countries.
For example, the press release notes, the share of R & D expenditure to the GDP of the member-states of the European Union stands at 1,84% on average (ranging from 0,43% in Cyprus, 0,45% in Romania and 0,48% in Bulgaria to 2,51% in Germany, 3,45% in Finland and 3,73% in Sweden).
By sector of performance, it adds, the higher education institutions accounted for €25,3 mn or 41,3% of total R & D expenditure, the government for €17,6 mn or 28,6%, the business enterprises for €14,0 mn or 22,7% and the private non-profit institutions for €4,5 mn or 7,4%.
In the business enterprise sector, it continues, computer and related activities constituted the principal source of R & D activity, with a total R & D expenditure of €5,2 mn, while of particular importance was also the contribution of the manufacturing industry (and particularly the manufacturers of chemicals and chemical products) with €4,4 mn.
The press release points out that the biggest part of R & D expenditure was devoted to the natural sciences (€20,8 mn), while engineering and technology absorbed €12,1 mn, the social sciences €10,3 mn, the agricultural sciences €9,8 mn, the humanities €4,7 mn and the medical sciences €3,6 mn.
It adds that about 45,6% of R & D activity in 2006 was financed from government funds (€28,0 mn), as compared with €24,7 mn or 45,3% in 2005, while €12,9 mn was drawn from the budget of the University of Cyprus and €7,4 mn from sources from abroad (including €5,9 mn from European Union funds). An amount of €13,1 mn constituted the contribution of the private sector, compared to €12,0 mn in 2005.
The number of persons engaged in R & D activities in 2006 stood at 2.534, compared to 2.470 in 2005. In full-time equivalent terms, this number is estimated at 1.226 persons, of which 465 or 37,9% were women. Of these persons, 26,5% were holders of PhD level degrees, the press release concludes.
