In 2015, Turkey’s gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) increased by 17.1% to TRY 20.615 billion ($16.232 billion = TRY 1.27 = $1). The country’s total GERD as a share of GDP was 1.06%, up from 1.01% in 2014. GERD has been on a steady rise since 2003, when GERD as a share of GDP was 0.48%. In 2015, R&D in the business sector represented 50% of total R&D expenditure, followed by higher education at 40%, and government at 10%. The business sector also financed 50% of R&D expenditures, with the government and higher education financing 28% and 18%, respectively. Labor cost made up 54% of GERD, with instruments and equipment accounting for 35% of costs. R&D personnel also increased in 2015, with the number of full-time equivalent R&D personnel jumping 5.9% to 122,288. Of this, 55% were employed in the business sector, 35% were employed in higher education and 10% were government employees. Based on regions, West Antolia had the greatest R&D expenditure with 28%, followed by Istanbul and East Marmara with 22% and 21%, respectively. Istanbul, West Anatolia and East Marmara also had the greatest full-time equivalent R&D personnel, representing 24%, 21% and 14%, respectively.
Source: Turkish Statistical Institute