R&D intensity

Expenditure for research and development (R&D) in the Flemish Region in 2022 is estimated at 11.6 billion euro. This corresponds to an R&D intensity (open definition) of 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) (open definition) .

R&D intensity was marginally higher in 2020 and 2021. Since 2019, R&D intensity in the Flemish Region has exceeded the threshold of 3% of GDP.

In 2022, 77.5% of R&D spending was privately funded, compared to 22.5% being publicly funded. In previous years, this ratio has always fluctuated around 75% and 25% (respectively).

Businesses are responsible for the largest share of R&D spending (8.3 billion euros in 2022 or 72% of total R&D spending). The share of businesses gradually increased over the years (70% in 2012). The increase in business R&D spending occurred in both manufacturing and services. Until 2019, services were catching up with manufacturing and R&D spending there has been keeping pace since then.

The universities and research institutes affiliated with universities were the 2^nd most important actor in 2022 with a share of 16% (19% in 2012). The governments had a share of 12%. Non-profit institutions have a marginal share of R&D spending.

The R&D intensity in the Flemish Region was 3.5% in 2022. According to data for 2021, the R&D intensity for the Walloon and Brussels-Capital Regions was 3.6% and 2.5%, respectively.

Belgium was at the top of EU countries in 2022 with an R&D intensity of 3.4%. The other countries that reached the 3% threshold were Sweden, Austria, Germany and Finland.

R&D intensity is lowest in some southern and eastern EU member states with Romania last (0.5%). But Ireland and Luxembourg also score relatively low at 1%.