Research and development spending in Romania represented 0.46% of the GDP in 2024, namely 8.079 billion lei, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on Monday.

Official statistics indicate that, at the end of last year, 50,579 employees were engaged in research and development, up 5.1% compared to 2023. Of these, 22,921 were women, or 45.3%.

In 2024, of the 8.079 billion lei spent on the four sectors the research and development activity is divided into, 7.347 billion lei represented current expenses (90.9%) and 732 million lei capital expenses, respectively 9.1%.

By sources of financing, enterprises had the highest share, in the reference year, respectively 53.6%, followed by public funds (including general public university funds), respectively 28.4%.

The largest amounts from public funds were received by units in the government sector, with a share of 80.5%, followed by units in the higher education sector with a share of 42.7%.

The sources of funding for research and development activity abroad were mostly directed towards units in the business sector (63.6%), the higher education sector (21.6%) and the government sector (14.2%).

As many as 44,370 of the employees in research and development had higher education, at the end of 2024.

Of the total number of employees involved in the research and development area, 38.8% had doctoral studies and underwent postdoctoral programmes, 48.9% had a bachelor’s, master’s and/or postgraduate degree, and 12.3% had a different level of training (not higher education). Among employees with doctoral studies and postdoctoral programmes, 51.4% were women.

Based on the hours actually worked, 72.8% of employees who carried out research and development activities in 2024 worked full-time.

By occupation category, in 2024 the largest share of employees in research and development activity was represented by researchers 63.6% of the total, respectively 32,163 employees, an increase of 981 employees, compared to 2023. AGERPRES