Survey results indicate that South Africa needs more investment in research
With investment in research and development (R&D) vital for a thriving economy, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) commissions an annual survey to measure South Africa's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) and to understand how the R&D system site2016s over time.
The latest figures, for 2013/14, show that South Africa invested R1,8 billion more than in the previous year, bringing the country's GERD to R25,661 billion. This was the third consecutive year that GERD increased after the contraction between 2009 and 2011, following the global economic downturn.
The 2013/14 R&D survey has incorporated the rebasing of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that was announced by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in November 2014. As a result, the previously published indicators on R&D performance have been revised and a new series going back to 1993/94 was presented.
Based on the revised GDP, GERD as a percentage of GDP – the key indicator of R&D intensity in the economy – remained unsite2016d at 0,73% for the third consecutive year.
With the government aiming for a GERD target equal to 1,5% of GDP, it is clear that thecountry needs to significantly increase investment and growth in R&D. This means that we need to maintain or scale up aspects of the current policy approach in this regard.
Government funding for R&D has continued to show year-on-year increases, sustaining R&D performance at science councils and universities. Overall, the survey showed that 42,9% of investment in R&D came from the public sector, 41,4% from the business sector, and the balance of investment in R&D is made up of 2,8% from other local funding sources and 12,9% from foreign sources.
Business investment in 2013/14 increased by R1,2 billion from the previous survey year, with the financial intermediation, real estate and business services sectors making the largest contribution. The manufacturing industry increased its investment in R&D for the first time since 2009/10.
Another important indicator of R&D intensity in the country – the number of R&D personnel – went up by 3 921 or 6,0%, to a total headcount of 68 838 in 2013/14. The ratio of full-time equivalent researchers per 1 000 employed also went up, to 1,6. The survey also indicated that female researchers constituted 44% of total researchers in South Africa. At this level, South Africa is among the leading countries globally in terms of this indicator.
Going forward, the government is considering ways to enhance the efficiency of government funding to support scientific and technological activities across the public sector. The DST is using its R&D Tax Incentive programme to encourage private sector R&D and has other programmes to attract international R&D resources into South Africa, as well as targeted initiatives for developing human capital for R&D and broadening access to scientific infrastructure.
For more information, download:
- www.dst.gov.za/index.php/resource-center/rad-reports
- www.hsrc.ac.za/en/departments/cestii/sa-national-survey-of-research-and-experimental-development
Contact information:
Dr Neo Molotja, CeSTII: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr Godfrey Mashamba, DST: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
