On the basis of the results of an ad-hoc survey carried out by the Statistical Service for the collection of data on scientific research and experimental development (R & D), total R & D expenditure in Cyprus in 2000 is estimated at £14,1 mn which corresponds to 0,26% of the Gross Domestic Product, compared to £12,4 mn or 0,25% of the GDP in 1999.

Despite the increase of 13,3% in R & D expenditure in 2000 relative to 1999, the share of the GDP of Cyprus devoted to R & D activities continues to be quite low compared to other countries. For example, the share of R & D expenditure to the GDP of the 15 member-states of the European Union stands at 1,90% on average.

By sector of performance, the government accounted for £6,6 mn or 46,6% of total R & D expenditure, the higher education institutions for £3,5 mn or 24,8%, the business enterprises for £3,0 mn or 21,3% and the private non-profit institutions for £1,0 mn or 7,3%. Comparing with 1999, all sectors of performance increased their share to the total at the expense of the government sector, which registered a decrease from 49,4% in 1999 to 46,6% in 2000.

The biggest part of R & D expenditure was devoted to the natural (£4,8 mn) and agricultural sciences (£3,9 mn), while the social sciences absorbed £2,2 mn, the humanities £1,4 mn, the medical sciences £0,7 mn and engineering and technology £1,2 mn.

About 48,1% of R & D activity in 2000 was financed from government funds (£6,8 mn), as compared with £6,3 mn or 50,8% in 1999, while £2,6 mn originated from the budget of the University of Cyprus and £1,3 mn from sources from abroad (including £0,7 mn from the European Union). An amount of £3,4 mn constituted the contribution of the private sector, compared to £3,0 mn in 1999.

The number of persons engaged in R & D activities in 2000 stood at 1.630, compared to 1.520 in 1999. In full-time equivalent terms, this number is estimated at 680 persons, of which 248 or 36,5% were women. Of these persons, 170 were holders of PhD level degrees.

Additional information on the subject can be found in the report of the Statistical Service entitled “Research and Development Statistics, 2000”, which has recently been released and can be purchased from the Government Printing Office in Nicosia at the price of £5,00 per copy.