South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development: Statistical report 2013/14

The 2013/14 R&D survey shows that gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) has increased in nominal terms in South Africa for the third consecutive year after the contraction in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 survey years. This is an indication that the R&D expenditure trend has stabilised. These trends reflect the general pattern of domestic economic growth and track the global trend in R&D expenditure. While the results show an improving outlook for R&D investment in the country, the magnitude of annual real increases in GERD still appear inadequate. Increases did not keep pace with the real GDP growth over the four years 2010 to 2013, this is why R&D intensity has remained constant at 0.73%. From a policy view, R&D should expand at a faster rate than economic growth if South Africa is to significantly improve its competitiveness.