Austrian research intensity expected to be 2.79% of GDP in 2011

According to an estimate of Statistics Austria, for the first time presumably more than €8 billion will be spent on research and experimental development (R&D) in 2011. In comparison to 2010, the total sum of Austrian R&D expenditure will increase by 5.0% to €8.286 billion and hence reach 2.79% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The research intensity for 2010 is estimated to be 2.78%; thus, there will only be a small increase in 2011.

The largest part of total R&D expenditure 2011 (44.6% or €3.70 billion) will be financed by businesses. Funding from the business enterprise sector will rise by 5.9%, after a decrease in 2009 and only a minor increase in 2010. The public sector will contribute 38.7% (approx. €3.21 billion); of this share, the federal government ("Bund") will finance €2.73 billion, the regional governments ("Länder") around €394 million and other public funding from local governments, chambers or social security institutions will be about €87 million. This corresponds to an increase of public sector funding by 4.5% compared to 2010. 16.2% will be financed from abroad and 0.4% (approximately €35 million) by the private non-profit sector. The funds from abroad (ca. €1.34 billion) originate mostly from international enterprise groups whose domestic affiliates in Austria perform R&D and include backflows from the EU Framework Programmes for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration.

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