Bulgaria has recorded one of the fastest increases in public funding for research and development in the European Union over the past decade, but the country remains far behind the EU average in terms of money allocated per person, according to preliminary Eurostat data.
In 2025, Bulgaria’s planned budget for research and development is expected to reach 593.9 million euros, compared with 108.6 million euros in 2015. This represents an increase of more than three times over a 10-year period and places Bulgaria among the EU countries with the strongest growth in science funding.
The increase is even more significant when measured per capita. Bulgaria’s R&D funding has risen from 15.5 euros per person in 2015 to 92.3 euros in 2025, representing growth of 495.5%, the highest percentage increase among EU member states.
Despite this sharp rise, Bulgaria continues to lag behind the European average. In 2025, EU countries are expected to allocate an average of 288.9 euros per person for research and development, more than three times Bulgaria’s level.
The figures show a contrast between rapid growth and a still modest starting position. Bulgaria has significantly expanded its science budget, but the country remains far from the leading EU economies in terms of available resources for research.
