Provisional results of the 2023 National Scientific and Technological Potential Survey

This month, the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics (DGEEC) published the provisional results of the 2023 National Scientific and Technological Potential Survey (IPCTN), which reveal that Portugal reached €4.523 billion in total expenditure on R&D (Research & Development) activities, equivalent to 1.70% of national GDP and representing a 10% increase compared to 2022.

In 2023, the total number of people engaged in R&D activities in Portugal was 79,257 (FTE), representing a 7% increase over the previous year. Of these, 62,476 perform research functions, representing a 6% increase. Researchers continue to be concentrated in the Higher Education sector, with 31,125 FTE (50%), and in the Business sector, with 28,363 FTE (45%).

The Business sector, responsible for spending €2.834 billion, accounted for 63% of national R&D expenditure, while the Higher Education sector accounted for 30% (€1.367 billion). The Government and Private Non-Profit Institutions (IPSFL) sectors accounted for 4% and 3%, respectively.

Looking ahead to 2022, R&D expenditure increased in all sectors. IPSFL recorded an increase of €21 million (+22%), the State sector €27 million (+16%), Companies €268 million (+10%) and Higher Education €82 million (+6%).

The IPCTN is a census survey conducted in accordance with criteria defined internationally by Eurostat, in conjunction with the OECD, based on the Frascati Manual (2015). It is an official instrument for collecting and producing statistical information on Research and Development (R&D) activities in Portugal, and is part of the National Statistical System (S.E.N.), with the DGEEC acting as the delegated body of the National Statistics Institute (INE) for its implementation.