Research and development in the public sector

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Science, Technology and Culture, Business Statistics
Mille Wilhjelm Poulsen
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Research and development in the public sector 2024

The purpose of the statistics on Research and Development in the public sector is to illustrate the extent of R&D activities carried out within the public sector. The statistics are used, among other things, to assess the share of GDP devoted to research and development. The survey is conducted according to the OECD guidelines for research and development (R&D) statistics, as set out in the Frascati Manual. The statistics have been produced since 1997, but are comparable in their current form from 2007 onwards.

Statistical presentation

The statistics provide an annual account of R&D in the public sector, showing both expenditure (in millions of kroner) and personnel (in numbers and full-time equivalents). The data are distributed by main sectors, types of expenditure, scientific fields, and type of research.

Statistical processing

The statistics are based on questionnaires and are collected annually from approximately 650 public and private non-profit units, which together are assumed to carry out all significant R&D in the public sector. The reported data undergo extensive validation, focusing on a number of high-priority variables, particularly R&D expenditure and R&D full-time equivalents. Validation is performed at both the macro and micro level.

Relevance

There is a general political objective of increasing the share of GDP, which is applied for research and development, and in the light of this objective, there is great interest in compiling statistics on research and development. The main users are Ministries, public authorities, business organisations, researchers, private business enterprises and the media. In addition, the European Commission (The statistical office Eurostat) and the OECD are important users. Data are available for purposes of research.

Accuracy and reliability

They are based on a complete census, of the expected research-active institutions, of approximately 650 public institutions, with a response rate close to 100 percent. The large dataset undergoes extensive validation, and except for a single question, the extent of imputation for missing values is relatively limited. Imputation may, for example, involve inserting calculated values from other institutions’ reports in place of missing information.

Timeliness and punctuality

National release is done 1 year after the end of the reference period. It is the aim to publish preliminary figures 1 year after the end of the reference period. Final figures are published 1 year after the preliminary figures. Transmission of data to Eurostat follows rules laid down in the relevant legal act.

Comparability

Comparable figures are available for 1997–2006, when the statistics were compiled by the Centre for Research Analysis, and from 2007 onwards. In the 2007 statistics, some changes were made to the accounting principles compared with earlier compilations, and between 2006 and 2007 a number of structural changes affected a large number of research institutions. This means that the data in the new survey are only partially comparable with previous surveys.

Accessibility and clarity

These statistics are published yearly in a Danish press release, at the same time as the tables are updated in the StatBank. In the StatBank, these statistics can be found under the subject Research and development. For further information, go to the subject page.