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Cyprus’ Research And Development Spending Among Lowest In EU Despite Decade Of Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 12, 2024

Cyprus remains one of the EU’s lowest spenders on research and development (R&D) as a share of GDP, despite recording gradual growth over the last decade. According to fresh data from Eurostat, Cyprus’s R&D intensity — the proportion of GDP dedicated to R&D — rose from 0.48% in 2013 to 0.68% in 2023.

While this increase signals progress, Cyprus still lags behind most of its European counterparts. Its R&D intensity remains well below the EU average of 2.2%, a figure that has stayed consistent since 2022.

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R&D Expenditure on the Rise

In monetary terms, Cyprus’s R&D spending reached €213.5 million in 2023, up from €207 million in 2022 and significantly higher than the €87.5 million recorded in 2013. The steady growth in expenditure highlights the country’s ongoing, albeit modest, efforts to support research and innovation.

Across the EU, R&D spending saw a 6.7% rise in 2023, reaching €381.4 billion, up from €357.4 billion the previous year. Compared to 2013, EU spending on R&D increased by 57.9%, reflecting the bloc’s broader push toward technological development and innovation.

Cyprus vs. the EU: A Stark Contrast

Although Cyprus has made progress, it still ranks among the EU’s five lowest performers in terms of R&D intensity. Other countries in this group include Romania (0.5%), Malta (0.6%), Bulgaria (0.8%), and Latvia (0.8%). In contrast, Sweden (3.6%) leads the bloc, followed by Belgium and Austria (3.3% each) and Germany and Finland (3.1% each).

From 2013 to 2023, R&D intensity increased in 19 EU countries. The largest gains were seen in Belgium (+1 percentage point), Poland (+0.7 pp), and Greece (+0.7 pp). Cyprus, with its +0.2 percentage point increase, made more modest progress in comparison.

Where Does EU R&D Funding Go?

In 2023, the EU’s R&D expenditure of €381.4 billion was largely driven by the business sector, which accounted for 66% of total spending (€253.1 billion). The higher education sector followed with 21% (€81.7 billion), while the government sector accounted for 11% (€41.0 billion). The non-profit sector had the smallest share at just 1% (€5.5 billion).

Cyprus’s R&D trajectory shows signs of growth, but the country faces a steep climb to catch up with the EU average. Despite a decade of incremental increases, Cyprus remains one of the bloc’s lowest spenders relative to GDP. With R&D playing a crucial role in driving technological advancement and economic competitiveness, the need for accelerated investment in this sector has never been more urgent.

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Discovery of a New Dwarf Planet: Is Our Solar System Expanding?

by News Editor

June 16, 2025

A New Celestial Revelation: Meet 2017 OF201

In a groundbreaking astronomical discovery, researchers have identified a celestial body likely to be a dwarf planet far beyond Pluto. This thrilling discovery was made by astronomers from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Dubbed 2017 OF201, this object is located over twice the distance of Pluto from the Sun, marking it as one of the farthest known bodies in our solar system observable through optical telescopes.

Key Insights

The object is approximately 700 kilometers in diameter, smaller than Pluto’s 2377 kilometers, yet it stands to be the largest found in the outer solar system in over a decade if verified by radio telescopes.
Classified as an extreme trans-Neptunian object, 2017 OF201 joins the ranks of other icy bodies circling the Sun beyond Neptune’s orbit. This region is now known to host other giants such as Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Gonggong.
Identified in a series of 19 observations over seven years, involving instruments like the Dark Energy Camera in Chile and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, this discovery sheds light on the unexplored corners of the solar system.

Why 2017 OF201 Stands Out

2017 OF201 boasts a unique orbit, with its aphelion over 1600 times the Earth’s distance from the Sun. Meanwhile, its perihelion is 44.5 times the Earth-Sun distance, parallel to Pluto’s path. Such an extensive orbit is evidence of a chaotic past, likely involving gravitational interactions with a giant planet.

Unveiling the Kuiper Belt: A New Frontier

Nestled within the Kuiper Belt, this object hints at the possibility of numerous similar celestial bodies lingering in this icy expanse, largely hidden due to immense distances. As telescope technology advances, the possibility of unveiling more about our solar system’s outermost fringes grows ever more achievable.