In 2023, Italy led European nations in the number of enterprises engaged in scientific research and development, followed by Spain and Germany. Spain's enterprises saw a significant 9.6% growth, indicating a robust increase in R&D activities. Countries like Germany and France showed modest growth, suggesting stabilization in their R&D sectors. Nations such as Greece and Poland exhibited above-average growth rates, hinting at emerging R&D hubs. Iceland's enterprise numbers surged by 11.25%, the highest year-on-year increase, albeit from a small base, indicating burgeoning R&D activity.
Future trends to watch include:
- Continued growth in Spain, reflecting persistent investments in R&D sectors.
- The potential emergence of Poland and Greece as significant R&D contributors in Europe.
- Italy's persistent leadership position, with potential for broader impact through increased international collaborations.
- Attention on smaller countries like Iceland, experiencing rapid relative increases, suggesting increasing importance in niche research areas.
- Opportunities for innovation and expansion in countries with lower current shares but positive growth trajectories, such as Estonia and Latvia.
Top countries in Number of Enterprises of Scientific Research and Development Activities Share by Country (Units (Enterprises))
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Italy | 13.55 | 2023 | +2.59% | +3.71% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Spain | 11.6 | 2023 | +6.13% | +9.6% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Germany | 9.02 | 2023 | +2.63% | +0.17% | View data |
| 4 | 4 France | 8.52 | 2023 | +3.32% | +4.73% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Netherlands | 7.68 | 2023 | +3.98% | +4.74% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Greece | 7.66 | 2023 | +3.45% | +6.13% | View data |
| 7 | 7 United Kingdom | 7.08 | 2023 | +2.16% | +2.38% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Hungary | 5.45 | 2023 | +1.94% | +2.15% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Sweden | 4.52 | 2023 | +1.34% | +1.47% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Poland | 4.44 | 2023 | +6.45% | +5.92% | View data |
