The extensive presentation of statistics and indicators found in the 2012 Report on Science and Technology Indicators for Norway offers a valuable framework for viewing Norwegian research and innovation, complete with commentary and analysis.
Each year the Research Council of Norway draws up a statistics and analysis report in collaboration with the Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU) and Statistics Norway. The report provides an overview of current research and innovation activities in Norway, and statistics are analysed and commented on across sectors and branches of industry.
Strong international perspective
The report starts with a chapter that looks at Norwegian research and development (R&D) activities in an international context.
"In order to draw conclusions about the state of Norwegian research, we must examine developments over time and compare the situation in Norway to that in other countries," says Director General of the Research Council Arvid Hallén.
He is pleased to note that there has been a clear trend towards increased internationalisation of research in recent years.
"This will have a marked influence on Norwegian research policy in the years to come," he emphasises.
Abridged English version to be published next year
The complete indicators report is currently available in a printed version in Norwegian and may be ordered via the report's webpages. The individual chapters, figures and tables from the Norwegian report are also downloadable. (See links to the right.) A version for tablets/mobile phones is available as well.
An abridged English version of the report containing selected information tailored to an international audience will be published in 2013.
Selected findings from the 2012 report
- R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP was 1.7 per cent in 2010, down from 1.8 per cent in 2009.
- The percentage of the population with a higher education was 37 per cent in Norway in 2010, versus 30 per cent in the OECD countries as a whole.
- In times of economic downturn most countries reduce their R&D expenditure. A few countries, particularly in Asia, are increasing their investment in R&D.
- Thirty-two per cent of the rectors in the Norwegian higher education sector are women, the highest percentage among the European countries.
- From 2000 to date, some 11 000 doctoral degrees have been completed in Norway. This represents one-half of the entire total of doctoral degrees completed in Norway.
- Doctoral candidates with non-Norwegian citizenship accounted for 33 per cent of all doctoral candidates in 2010.
- Just over one-half of all Norwegian doctoral degree-holders are employed in the higher education sector.
- Only Switzerland and the US have a higher outlay per student/pupil than Norway.
- Norway is one of a few Western European countries that has increased its production of scientific articles in the past 10 years: from 0.53 per cent in 2000 to 0.63 per cent in 2010.
- While the number of patents has decreased internationally in the wake of the financial crisis, the number of national patents in Norway has increased.
- Norway is among the top-ranking OECD countries in terms of labour productivity.
- Trøndelag, Oslo and Akershus counties are among the most R&D-intensive regions in Europe, measured per capita.
