The Norwegian Research Landscape
In 2022, Norway’s total R&D expenditure amounted to nearly NOK 89 billion NOK. Of this, trade and industry accounted for 48%, the higher education sector for 33%, and the research institute sector for 19%. More than 94 000 people were employed in R&D-related activities in 2021, of which 65% were scientists. Of these scientists, 38% were women. R&D expenditure for 2021 amounted to 1,6% of GDP. 46% of this expenditure came from public funding.
Norway’s level of public funding for research and development (R&D) is among the highest in the world, but the business and industry sector in Norway currently invests less in R&D than in many other countries. The Government has therefore announced that it will prepare a strategy for how to increase R&D investments to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030.
Norway has three research-performing sectors in national R&D statistics::
The Government’s Long-term plan for research and higher education sets out three primary objectives: to strengthen competitiveness and innovation capacity, to solve major challenges to society, and to develop high-quality research groups. For more information see: Long-term plan for research and higher education 2023–2032 — Meld. St. 5 (2022–2023) Report to the Storting (white paper) (Government.no).
Norway has a single research council which covers the entire spectrum from basic research to innovation and administers a wide variety of funding schemes and research programmes. While international collaboration is an integral component of all the schemes and programmes, foreigners must be affiliated with a Norwegian research institution to have access to these activities. For more information see: The Research Council of Norway
