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Graz, July 16, 2023 – Styria is and remains the number one state for innovation and research in Austria. This is shown by the latest survey from Statistics Austria on research and development quotas for 2023. With a regional RD quota of 5.31%, Styria was able to increase its top value even further, placing it well ahead of Vienna (3.95%) and Upper Austria (3.52%) at the top. In total, 3.25 billion euros are spent on research and development in Styria every year.
“The current RD quota of 5.31% is the best proof that the location partnership in Styria is working excellently. This historic figure is the result of close and successful cooperation between science, business, and the public sector. The good cooperation with the federal government, the EU, and the respective funding programs has also contributed to this success. Our research landscape is not only a flagship for Styria but a decisive engine for growth, employment, and prosperity in our state,” says Willibald Ehrenhöfer, State Councilor for Economy, Labor, Finance, Science, and Research, who further emphasizes: “Innovation and research are the key to the long-term success of our business location. Especially in challenging times, it becomes clear how important investments in future-oriented developments are. We will consistently continue on this path and, together with our companies, universities, and research institutions, further strengthen Styria as an attractive, future-proof location.”
3.25 billion euros for research and development
Innovative entrepreneurs and a strong industrial sector are investing heavily in research. In total, 3.25 billion euros are spent on research and development in Styria per year, representing an increase of +21.8% compared to 2021. Of this, local companies invest 2.45 billion annually, while public sector investments amount to 802 million euros. This means that 75.3% of Styrian RD expenditure is attributable to the corporate sector. Styria was thus responsible for more than a fifth (21.1%) of Austria’s total RD performance in 2023.
“These figures impressively confirm that research and development are among the central strengths of Styria as a business location. In addition to a strong industrial sector, we have numerous innovative SMEs and niche players who ensure that research results are translated into real products. They are the basis for prosperity,” says WKO Styria President Josef Herk, applauding local businesses. However, Herk also emphasizes: “As important as research is, we must not forget about implementation within companies – and for that, we need qualified specialists. Only if our companies have the right personnel can they ensure international success.” The WKO is leading the way in training future specialists, as Herk explains: “As WKO Styria, we provide support in many ways – for example, through the FH Campus 02, the Chemistry Academy, or the annual awarding of research grants. This is how we move Styria forward together!”
IV Styria President Kurt Maier emphasizes: “Being Austria’s frontrunner in terms of research quota must be understood primarily as a mandate. Three-quarters of the RD quota is due to company expenditure, and these companies have recently confirmed that RD is becoming increasingly difficult – for example, due to the prevailing shortage of skilled labor. The investment environment must become more attractive again, competitiveness must be restored, and production must be strengthened. Because without production, there will be no more research in the long term. Furthermore, we must succeed better in the future in translating the RD quota into value creation and generating more output.”
The RD quota is the share of expenditure on research and development in the total gross regional product of a region. Styria is followed by Vienna with an RD quota of 3.95%, ahead of Upper Austria with 3.52%. The Austrian average is 3.26%.
