EU countries allocated 0.8% of GDP for R&D in 2020: Eurostat

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The EU countries' budget allocations for research and development activities in 2020 was 0.8% of their gross domestic product (GDP) or €100.8 billion (some $115 billion).

The 27-member bloc's average budget allocations for R&D per person was €225, up from €184 in 2010, the EU's statistical office Eurostat said on Wednesday.

"The highest allocations were recorded in Luxembourg (€648 per person), followed at a distance by Denmark (€519) and Germany (€443)," it noted.

Meanwhile, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary were the countries that allocated the lowest R&D budget per person with €15, €21, and €39, respectively.

"Over the last decade, the largest percentage increases in government budget allocations for R&D at € per person were recorded in Latvia (from €14 in 2010 to €42 in 2020), Greece (from €62 to €148) and Estonia (from €77 to €141)," it added.