Spending on research and development

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Total research and development (R&D) spending intentions in Canada are anticipated to amount to $29.2 billion in 2010, down 0.6% from preliminary R&D expenditures for 2009.

The majority of 2010 intended R&D spending, $14.8 billion (51%), is expected to be spent by companies in the business enterprise sector. This represents a 2.6% decrease from 2009.

Spending on R&D by the higher education sector is anticipated to reach $11.2 billion in 2010, representing 38% of total spending. This is a 1% increase in R&D spending over 2009.

The federal government follows with anticipated spending of $2.7 billion in 2010, for a 9% share. This represents a 4.5% increase over 2009.

In terms of R&D funding, the business enterprise sector is expected to provide $13.7 billion in R&D funds in 2010, down 2.3% from 2009. This represents 47% of total R&D funding.

The federal government, the second largest source of R&D funding, anticipates increasing funding by 2.5% to $5.8 billion.

Note: Data on the national capital regions of Ontario and Quebec are now included with their respective provincial data. This revision has been made back to 1988 in the appropriate CANSIM tables.

Provincial R&D spending data are available for 2008.

Available on CANSIM: table 358-0001.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 4201, 4204, 4208, 4209, 4210, 4212 and 5109.

The publication Gross Domestic Expenditures on Research and Development in Canada and the Provinces, national estimates for 2000 to 2010 and provincial estimates for 2004 to 2008, Vol. 3, no. 1 (88-221-X, free), is now available from the Key resources module of our website, under Publications.

For more information, or to enquire about the methods, concepts or data quality of this release, contact Cindy Carter (613-951-1856; cindy.carter@statcan.gc.ca) or Louise Earl (613-951-2880; louise.earl@statcan.gc.ca), Business Special Surveys and Technology Statistics Division.