2.1 Research and Development
Observations
Of the G7 countries excluding Canada since 2000, the UK has consistently experienced the second lowest R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP. R&D expenditure in the business enterprise sector remains higher than expenditure in the other sectors.
The largest amount of income from business and community interactions comes from collaborative research involving public funding and contract research.
Since 2011, government expenditure on science, engineering and technology has been highest by civil departments and research councils.
Indicator 2.1.1 – Research and development expenditure
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. UK R&D expenditure is shown as a percentage of GDP (R&D intensity).
Metric 2.1.1a — Gross expenditure on R&D as a share of GDP, G7 countries excluding Canada, 2000 - 2018 (%)
Source: Eurostat
Metric 2.1.1b — Gross expenditure on R&D as a share of GDP, UK by sector, 2000 - 2018 (%)
Source: Eurostat
Indicator 2.1.2 – University collaboration
The scale of universities' collaborative research is shown in data on the income from businesses and community interactions. Data are from the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HEBCI) survey which is conducted every year, and is a requirement for all HE institutions.
Metric 2.1.2a — Income from business and community interactions, UK, 2014/15 to 2017/18 (£)
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
Indicator 2.1.3 – Expenditure on science, engineering and technology
UK Science, engineering and technology annual expenditure by UK government departments, research councils and higher education funding councils; in constant 2016 prices.
Metric 2.1.3a — Government expenditure on science, engineering and technology adjusted for inflation, UK, 2006 – 2017 (£ millions)
Source: ONS