Innovation activity within Northern Ireland’s business sector declined sharply in the 2020-2022 period, a new report suggests.
The latest UK Innovation Survey states that the percentage of ‘innovation active’ businesses in the north declined from 38% in 2018-2020 to 32% in 2020 to 2022.
It took the north back to levels of innovation last experienced in 2016-2018.
The UK-wide research carried out by the Office of National Statistics during 2023, largely reflected the same trend across all regions.
Overall, the survey found the proportion of actively innovating UK firms declined from a rate of 45% in 2018-2020 to 36% in 2020-2022.
The devolved regions emerged weakest out of the latest research.
Like Northern Ireland, Scotland’s rate also fell to 32% (down from 39%), while the innovation rate among Welsh businesses was recorded at just 31%, compared to 44% in 2018-2020.
According to the study, innovation activity in Northern Ireland peaked at 45% during the 2012-2014 period.
The 2023 report study suggests 45% of large businesses in the north (more than 250 employees), are actively innovating, compared to 32% of smaller firms.
