Europe's research prospects diverge as funding shifts

Research spending fell to 0.46% of GDP in Malta and 2.16% in Iceland in 2025. Separately, government research budgets rose in some EU countries but fell in others after inflation.

Romania: Government research allocations fell by 19.7% after inflation in 2025.
Latvia and Portugal: Government research allocations rose after inflation, by 26% in Latvia and 21.1% in Portugal in 2025.

Malta: Research and development spending fell to 0.46% of GDP in 2025 from 0.61% in 2024.
Iceland: Research and development spending fell to 2.16% of GDP in 2025 from 2.47% in 2024.

Europe's research funding picture is mixed: spending shares declined in Malta and Iceland, while the separate measure of inflation-adjusted government budgets varied across EU countries.