Austrian research intensity expected to be 2.80% of GDP in 2012

According to an estimate of Statistics Austria presumably €8.61 billion will be spent on research and experimental development (R&D) in 2012. In comparison to 2011, the total sum of Austrian R&D expenditure will increase by 4.2% and hence reach 2.80% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The research intensity for 2011 is estimated to be 2.74%; 2010 it was 2.79%.

The largest part of total R&D expenditure 2012 (around 45% or €3.84 billion) will be financed by businesses. Funding from the business enterprise sector will rise by 2.2%, after a slight increase from 2009 to 2010 and a larger increase from 2010 to 2011. The public sector will contribute 39.3% (approx. €3.38 billion); of this share, the federal government ("Bund") will finance €2.87 billion, the regional governments ("Länder") around €411 million and other public funding from local governments, professional chambers or social security institutions will contribute about €102 million. This corresponds to an increase of public sector funding by 7.5% compared to 2011. 15.6% (€1.34 billion) will be financed from abroad and 0.6% (approximately €47 million) by the private non-profit sector. The funds from abroad originate predominantly from foreign enterprises. A considerable part comes from multinational enterprises whose affiliates in Austria perform R&D and includes backflows from the EU Framework Programmes for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration.

Please consult our German website for tables and charts containing further information.