This ratio increased modestly in the EU during the period from 2011 to 2021, rising from 2.02 % in 2011 to 2.31 % in 2020, decreasing in 2021 to 2.27. The ratio of GERD to GDP is also known as R&D intensity. In order to make figures more comparable, GERD is often expressed relative to GDP - see Figure 1 - or in relation to population. There was an increase of 6 % on the year before, and there was an increase of 41.5 % compared with 10 years earlier, in 2011 - note that these rates of change are in current prices and so reflect price changes as well as real changes in the level of expenditure. Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) stood at €328 billion in the EU in 2021, which equated to an average of €734.5 of R&D expenditure per inhabitant. It engages the EU to promote resilience, prosperity, competitiveness, economic and social well-being. This Communication underlines the EU’s desire to play a leading role in supporting international research and innovation partnerships, while delivering innovative solutions that support green and digital solutions in line with the sustainable development goals. In May 2021, the European Commission adopted a Communication on a Global Approach to Research and Innovation - Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world (COM(2021) 252 final). One of the key aims of the EU during the last few decades has been to encourage increasing levels of research investment, in order to provide a stimulus to the EU’s competitiveness. The data are collected through sample or census surveys, from administrative registers or through a combination of sources.

This article presents preliminary data for 2021 on research and development (R&D) expenditure within the European Union (EU), according to the sector of performance and by source of funds.

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