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In 2023, the EU spent €381.4 billion on research & development (R&D), which is 6.7% more than in the previous year (€357.4 billion) and 57.9% more than in 2013 (€241.5 billion).

R&D intensity, defined as R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP, remained stable compared with 2022 (2.2%). Between 2013 and 2023, R&D intensity in the EU increased by 0.1 percentage points (pp).

Between 2013 and 2023, R&D intensity increased in 19 EU countries, with the largest increases recorded in Belgium (1.0 pp), Poland (0.7 pp) and Greece (0.7 pp).

In 2023, 5 EU countries registered an R&D intensity above 3%. The highest R&D intensity was recorded in Sweden (3.6%), Belgium and Austria (3.3% each). Germany and Finland followed with 3.1% each.

Gross domestic expenditure on R&D, 2013 and 2023, %, relative to GDP. Chart. See link to full dataset below

Source dataset: rd_e_gerdtot

By contrast, 5 EU countries reported R&D intensity below 1%: Romania (0.5%), Malta (0.6%), Cyprus (0.7%), Bulgaria and Latvia (both 0.8%).

Business sector: 66% of the R&D spendings

The business enterprise sector continued to account for the largest share of R&D expenditure. In 2023 it represented 66% of EU R&D spending, totalling €253.1 billion. It was followed by the higher education sector (€81.7 billion; 21%), the government sector (€41.0 billion; 11%), and the private non-profit sector (€5.5 billion; 1%).

R&D expenditure in the EU by sector, 2023, € billion. Chart. See link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: rd_e_gerdtot