Cyprus recorded a modest increase in research and development (R&D) spending in 2023, though it remains well below the European Union average, according to data released on Thursday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat).
According to the results of a special survey conducted by Cystat on scientific research and experimental development, total R&D expenditure in 2023 was estimated at €213.6 million, corresponding to 0.68% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This compares with €207.0 million, or 0.70% of GDP, in 2022.
Despite the 3.2% increase in R&D expenditure over the previous year, the share of GDP devoted to research and development in Cyprus remains relatively low compared with other EU countries. The EU average stands at 2.26%, ranging from 0.52% in Romania, 0.64% in Malta, and 0.68% in Cyprus, to 3.26% in Austria, 3.27% in Belgium, and 3.64% in Sweden.
However, Cyprus ranks among the fastest-growing EU countries in terms of R&D expenditure over time, with an average annual growth rate of 9.96% for the period 2000–2023 and 7.23% for 2010–2023, compared with 4.47% and 4.62% respectively for the EU as a whole.
By sector of activity, business enterprises accounted for the largest share of research spending in 2023 — €89.6 million or 41.9% of the total. The higher education sector followed with €76.9 million (36%), private non-profit institutions with €31.1 million (14.6%), and the government sector with €16.0 million (7.5%). The corresponding shares in 2022 were 41.8%, 37.4%, 15.0%, and 5.8%, respectively.
Within the business sector, information and communication technologies (ICT) represented the main area of research activity, with €51.7 million in expenditure, while the manufacturing industry — particularly pharmaceuticals, computer and electronic products, and electrical equipment — contributed €25.9 million.
Regarding sources of funding, 23.5% of R&D activity in 2023 (€50.2 million) was financed by public funds, compared with 22.1% (€45.8 million) in 2022. Additionally, €27.0 million came from the budgets of public universities, and €45.1 million from foreign sources, including EU funds. The private sector provided the largest share, amounting to €91.3 million, or 42.8% of total R&D spending.
Most research expenditure focused on the natural sciences (€94.5 million), followed by engineering (€66.1 million), social sciences (€22.3 million), agricultural sciences (€12.6 million), medical sciences (€10.5 million), and humanities (€7.5 million).
The number of people employed in research activities in 2023 reached 4,257, compared with 4,241 in 2022. In full-time equivalent terms, this corresponds to 2,308 persons, of whom 909 (39.4%) were women. About 33.3% of research personnel held a doctoral degree.
CNA/TNE/EPH/2025
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
