The 2015 Knowledge Economy Index was launched today in Belfast.
The launch, which was held at Brewbot on the Ormeau Road, brought together representatives from business, government and academia to hear from NISP Connect director Stephen Orr, Acting First Minister Arlene Foster and local entrepreneurs.
This year’s index has revealed some startling facts about Northern Ireland’s fast growing Knowledge Economy:
- 10% of the Northern Ireland economy is now driven by our Knowledge Economy
- For every job created in the Knowledge Economy, one more is created in the wider economy
- Knowledge Economy salaries are 50% higher than the NI average
- 85% of our Knowledge Economy sales are outside NI
- NI has seen 410 innovative new start ups in the past year
- NI has the second fastest growing Knowledge Economy in the UK for the second year running
- The number of PhDs awarded has dropped, putting the entrepreneurial talent pipeline at risk
- Northern Ireland’s digital cluster has doubled in size over the last five years to become the 6th largest in the UK.
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