Science Statistics

Science Statistics

R&D Statistics

For the latest statistics on research and development in Ireland see the following Forfás publication:

Research and Development Statistics in Ireland 2009 - at a glance

For an explanation of the main ststistics used to compare research investment between countries see

 pdf icon RD stats (PDF, 1 page, 109KB).

Research Institutions

Ireland has 7 Universities and 14 Institutes of Technology. In addition, it has a number of publicly-supported, specialised research institutions including; the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Teagasc (Agriculture and Food Development Authority) and the Marine Institute.

Investment in Research

  • Gross Expenditure on R&D in Ireland in 2006 amounted to €2.3 billion (1.6% of GNP), an increase of 14% over the previous year. Public sources accounted for 33% of this investment.
  • Public funding of R&D increased by more than 300% in real terms in the decade 1996 - 2006.
  • Public investment in science, technology and innovation under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 will amount to €8.2 billion.


Human Capital in Research

  • 28% of all third-level graduations in 2005 were in the disciplines of Science and Engineering;
  • 810 PhDs were awarded in Irish institutions in 2005; 462 of these were in the disciplines of Science and Engineering;
  • The target under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation is to increase the annual PhD output to 1,300 by 2013.

Publicly-funded Research in the Government and Higher Education Sectors, 2006 (€633M)`

Flow of Government Funding for R&D Performed in the
     Higher Education and Government Sectors 2006

Snapshot of the Economy: Exports 2007 (€153 bn)