The Industry & Energy Transition Index: Spain

R&D investment

Progress in terms of increasing R&D investment (% of GDP)

Spain has experienced almost no growth in R&D investment as share of GDP. In 2012, the figure was 1.3 percent, while it was only 1.4 percent in 2022. It is also significantly behind the EU average of 2.2 percent.

At this trajectory, the R&D investment is far from the 3 percent (share of GDP) Lisbon Objective for 2030, defined at the European level.

Eurostat data show that this target has already been reached or surpassed by many European economies, such as Belgium, Germany, and Sweden.

R&D investments ae far off the 3 percent goal set by the European Union.
Indicator definition
R&D investments in all sectors of the economy, as a share of GDP.
Progress assessment
The most recent data point is 1.4 percent R&D investment as share of GDP in 2022, based on Eurostat data. To assess progress, a linear curve between 2019 and 2030 is considered, being the arrival reference the European Union’s target of 3 percent GDP investment. To that curve, a standard deviation (based on 2014–19 historical data) is removed or added to create an on-track range. As the most recent progress is below that range, the status for the indicator is lagging.

Detail view

Energy transition KPIs
Greenhouse gas emissions reductionRenewables in energy mixElectric vehicle salesRenewable molecules adoptionEnergy dependencyNetwork readinessHousehold electricity pricesIndustry electricity prices
Industrialization KPIs
Industrial gross value addedVehicle productionInvestment in fixed assetsR&D investmentIndustry employmentIndustry exports

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