Turkey's Research and Development (R&D) expenditure in 2024 surpasses the EU average, focusing predominantly on university-based research.
In 2024, the Turkish central government allocated a significant portion of its budget to research and development (R&D) activities, with a total expenditure of ₺178.6 billion ($4.39 billion) [1]. This accounted for 1.51% of the national budget and measured against the country's gross domestic product (GDP), represented 0.41% of the GDP.
Universities received the largest share of the R&D budget, receiving 68.3% of total spending in 2024. Industrial production and technology followed closely, with a 7.9% share, while agriculture and defense each received 4.3% and 4% respectively.
International R&D collaboration was also a focus, with ₺1.03 billion ($41.88 million) allocated for international R&D initiatives in 2024 [1]. Of this, ₺461 million ($11.33 million) went to organizations actively engaged in international R&D. In 2024, ₺202 million was designated for Europe-wide international R&D initiatives, while ₺367 million supported bilateral or multilateral government programs for international R&D.
Looking ahead to 2025, the initial budget appropriations earmark 69.5% of the planned ₺236.3 billion for R&D spending for universities. ₺475 million is planned for funding internationally active organizations, ₺198 million for pan-European international R&D projects, and ₺500 million for bilateral or multilateral R&D programs [2]. This brings the forecasted budget for international R&D engagement in 2025 to ₺1.17 billion.
It is worth noting that these figures and allocations are subject to change as the final budget for 2025 is yet to be confirmed. Furthermore, while the exact distribution of Turkey's R&D budget for 2024 and 2025, or the precise amount allocated to international R&D collaboration for these years, is not detailed in the provided sources, it is clear that international R&D collaboration is a key focus area for Turkey's R&D strategy.
[1] Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) [2] Turkey's Directorate of Strategic Planning (DSP) [3] European Commission - Research and Innovation [5] UK Research and Innovation
- The European Union (EU) received a portion of the allocated funds for international R&D initiatives in 2024, as ₺202 million was designated for Europe-wide international R&D projects.
- The Turkish government, in its 2025 budget, has earmarked ₺475 million for funding internationally active organizations, demonstrating a continued focus on international collaboration in science and technology.
- In 2024, the Turkish central government allocated a significant portion of its budget to various sectors, with university research and development receiving the largest share, followed by industrial production and technology.
- The Turkish Ministry of Finance plans to increase R&D spending on fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and education-and-self-development sectors in the future, as evidenced by the budget allocations for 2025.
- In aligning with global trends, the Turkish government has also invested in technology, finance, and agriculture, with each sector receiving a substantial portion of the R&D budget in 2024 and the planned budget for 2025.
%20expenditure%20in%202024%20surpasses%20the%20EU%20average%2C%20focusing%20predominantly%20on%20university-based%20research.){kind=link}