Singapore splurges a new high of $7.4b on research and development

It was a 14.8% growth from 2010.

Singapore’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) recorded a new high of S$7.4 billion in 2011, according to the National Survey of R&D, 2011, produced by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It was a 14.8% growth from S$6.5 billion in 2010.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of GERD from 2002 to 2011 was 9.1%. This reflects sustained growth in R&D investments in Singapore.

In 2011, the Business Expenditure on R&D (BERD), which is a measurement of private sector investment in R&D, grew by 17.2% (year-on-year) from S$3.9 billion in 2010 to S$4.6 billion in 2011. This is a good indication of the high value-added activities in Singapore and points to the growing competitiveness here. It also suggests that Singapore is a good location for innovation-led activities across many different sectors in manufacturing and services.

The Public Expenditure on R&D (PUBERD) in 2011 increased to S$2.8 billion, up from S$2.5 billion in 2010. It reflects the Government’s continued commitment to R&D as our future development strategy.

A*STAR’s Managing Director Dr Raj. Thampuran said, “The record high expenditure on R&D by the private sector is a testimony of Singapore’s value proposition for open innovation through public-private partnerships. It also demonstrates our ability to raise the competitiveness of industries and make steady progress towards an innovation economy.”

Singapore’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a percentage of GDP in 2011 was 2.3%. We are moving into the ranks of research-intensive countries in the world such as Finland, Sweden and Denmark.