Total scientific research and experimental development (R & D) expenditure in Cyprus reached just 0.43% of GDP in 2008 according to the results of the ad hoc survey carried out by the Statistical Service.
The amount spent is estimated at EUR 73.4 mln, a rises of 4.7% on the EUR 70.1 mln or 0.44% of GDP spent in 2007.
In 2006 the figure was EUR 61.4 mln or 0.43%.
Not surprisingly, the Cyprus R & D ratio continues to be low compared with other countries.
For example, average R & D expenditure in the EU is 1.9%.
At the low end is Cyprus with 0.43%. Slovakia with 0.47% and Bulgaria with 0.49%.
At the high end are 3.73% in Finland, home of Nokia, and 3.75% in Sweden, home of Ericsson.
Higher education spends most
Higher education institutions in Cyprus accounted for the bulk of spending, with EUR 32.1 mln or 43.7% of total R & D expenditure.
The government spent EUR 16.8 mln or 22.9%, business enterprises spent EUR 16.7 mln or 22.8% and private non-profit institutions EUR 7.8 mln or 10.6%.
In the business enterprise sector, computer and related activities constituted the principal source of R & D activity, with total R & D expenditure of EUR 6.7 mln.
The contribution of the manufacturing industry (and particularly the manufacturers of chemicals and chemical products) was of particular importance, with expenditure of EUR 5.9 mln.
The biggest part of R & D expenditure was devoted to the natural sciences (EUR 26.7 mln).
Engineering and technology absorbed EUR 14.9 mln; the social sciences EUR 12.9 mln; the agricultural sciences EUR 9.4 mln; the humanities EUR 5.4 mln and the medical sciences EUR 4.0 mln.
Government and EU funding
About 40.0% of R & D activity in 2008 was financed from government funds (EUR 29.4 mln), compared with EUR 30.0 mln or 42.9% in 2007.
Some EUR 17.7 mln was drawn from the budget of public universities and EUR 10.7 mln from sources from abroad (including EUR 8.0 mln from European Union funds).
The contribution of the private sector amounted to EUR 15.6 mln compared with EUR 14.6 mln in 2007.
The number of persons engaged in R & D activities in 2008 stood at 2,475, compared with 2,495 in 2007. In full-time equivalent terms, this number is estimated at 1,201 persons, of which 464 or 38.6% were women.
Of these persons, 33.7% were holders of PhD level degrees.
