Research and Development Expenditure $1.4 Billion

Research and Development Expenditure $1.4 Billion in 2002

Total R&D expenditure in the 2002 reference year was $1,416 million, according to results from the Research and Development Survey 2002 (R&D Survey), released today by Statistics New Zealand. The R&D Survey is a joint survey sponsored by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST).

R&D expenditure in the 2002 reference year comprised private sector expenditure of $520 million, and government sector expenditure of $896 million, of which universities accounted for $436 million.

Total levels of R&D expenditure are not directly comparable between the 2000 and 2002 reference years because of changes in the methods employed in identifying enterprises undertaking R&D. Statistics New Zealand estimates that R&D expenditure has increased by 20 percent from the 2000 reference year to the 2002 reference year, when adjusted for these changes.

After adjusting for methodology differences, private sector R&D expenditure increased 31 percent, government sector expenditure (excluding universities) increased 14 percent and universities' expenditure increased 16 percent, from the 2000 reference year to the 2002 reference year. Statistics New Zealand will publish a detailed report from this survey on 29 August 2003.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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