Research and development (R&D), innovation

Statistics on research and experimental development (R&D) are compiled on the statutory basis of the R&D Statistics Regulation 2003, the relevant binding EU statutory documents and the methodological basis of the Frascati Manual.

Full primary statistical surveys among institutions that conduct R&D in all sectors of the national economy focus on collecting data on persons employed in R&D, expenditure on R&D, the financing of said expenditure, and the nature and orientation of R&D activities, and do so based on international (EU, OECD) standards and guidelines.

The annual global estimate of gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) is based on the detailed structural data extracted as part of primary statistical surveys on R&D as well as yearly research-related analyses and evaluations of the budgets of the federal government and the Länder (federal provinces). Gross domestic expenditure on R&D, expressed as a percentage of GDP, is an indicator of the utmost political relevance in that it represents what is known as “R&D intensity”.

In a modern economy, innovations are considered as necessary for boosting the productivity, competitiveness and growth potential of enterprises. The ability of enterprises operating in a competitive economic environment to innovate, and their willingness to do so, provide indicators of the extent to which these objectives are achieved.

In the business enterprise sector, innovation is measured as part of the statistical surveys harmonised across Europe (Community Innovation Surveys) in accordance with the definitions of OECD’s Oslo Manual, which recommends guidelines and standards for conducting innovation surveys.