Bulgaria's R&D Spending Up but Still Way Below EU Average

In 2014 Bulgaria's spending on research and development stood at BGN 206.6 M, up by 3.1% from 2013, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

The increase in absolute terms in R&D expenditure on an annual basis did not affect its relative share of the GDP.

In 2014 Bulgaria's R&D expenditure amounted to 0.25% of the GDP, staying unchanged from 2012 and 2013.

Bulgaria lags behind the EU average R&D intensity (R&D expenditure as % of GDP) of 0.68%, according to data for 2013.

The structure of R&D expenditure has undergone negligible changes, with basic research having the largest share (52.7%).

Basic research primarily involves research conducted by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the universities in the country.