Final results of the 2021 National Scientific and Technological Potential Survey (IPCTN)

The final results ofthe 2021 National Scientific and Technological Potential Survey (IPCTN) were released on December 22 and reveal that Portugal reached €3.609 billion in total expenditure on R&D (Research & Development) activities, which is equivalent to 1.68% of the national GDP and represents a 12% increase compared to 2020. These final results show an increase in R&D expenditure for the sixth consecutive year.

Compared to 2020, R&D expenditure increased in all sectors, but most significantly in the business sector, which grew by 16.8% in 2021, accounting for €2.154 billion, representing 60% of total national R&D expenditure and 1% of GDP.

Private non-profit institutions (IPSFL) recorded an increase of €16 million (+23.8%); the higher education sector recorded an increase of €37 million (+3.2%); and the state sector recorded an increase of €10 million (+6.1%).

The total number of people engaged in R&D activities in Portugal rose from 66,044 in 2020 to 69,769 (FTE-Full-Time Equivalent) in 2021 (+5.6%). Of these human resources, 56,365 people worked as researchers, an increase of 6% compared to 2020. Higher education accounts for a large proportion of researchers, with 28,846 FTE (51% of the national total), and the business sector accounts for 24,788 FTE (44%).

These figures are revealed by the final data from the National Scientific and Technological Potential Survey (IPCTN) for 2021, published by the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics (DGEEC), based on methodologies harmonized internationally by EUROSTAT and the OECD.

The National Scientific and Technological Potential Survey (IPCTN) is an annual census that has been conducted since 2007 (it was biennial since 1982) and constitutes the basis for official statistical information on human and financial resources allocated to R&D activities in Portugal.