On 26 January, the European Commission published a report containing the key figures 2008/2009 in science, technology and competiveness. For the first time, an overview of research and development (R&D) investments in the EU and its progress in developing a European Research Area (ERA) between 2000 and 2006 is provided.

The report shows that the number of researchers is growing and that Europe is becoming more attractive for both foreign researchers and private R&D investments from the US. However, the EU-27’s R&D intensity is stagnating at 1.84 percent and is thus undermining its ambition of becoming the most competitive knowledge-based society.  So, even though many member states have increased their investment in research, the EU as a whole still has a long way to go before reaching its Lisbon target of 3 percent GDP investment in R&D.

European Commission