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Published: 27 October 2016

Research and development expenditure sank below three per cent of gross domestic product

According to Statistics Finland, research and development expenditure amounted to EUR 6.1 billion in 2015. Expenditure went down by EUR 440 million from the year before. Business enterprises' investments in product development decreased by EUR 360 million or good eight per cent, the electrical and electronics industry dropped by EUR 440 million. In the university sector, R&D expenditure remained almost unchanged, but in the research institutes and other public sector, the relative decrease in R&D expenditure was larger than that of enterprises, EUR 70 million or over 11 per cent.

The GDP share of research and development expenditure was 2.9 per cent in 2015. The GDP share has decreased ever since 2009 when the share of R&D expenditure was 3.8 per cent. The business sector's share of R&D expenditure has declined from 74 to 67 per cent in 2008 to 2015. In 2016, R&D expenditure is estimated to fall by approximately EUR 100 million, putting its GPD share at no more than 2.8 per cent.

Research and development expenditure by sector in 2009–2016*

Source: Research and development 2015, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Ari Leppälahti 029 551 3237, Heidi Pirkola 029 551 3246, Mervi Härkönen 029 551 3254, tiede.teknologia@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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Updated 27.10.2016