NSO report finds that Malta invested €140.2 million in research and development (R&D) during 2024, marking a significant increase of €19.2 million compared to the previous year. The total expenditure represented 0.6% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflecting continued investment in innovation across multiple sectors.

The NSO data shows that Basic Research accounted for the largest share of R&D expenditure in 2024, highlighting Malta’s ongoing commitment to expanding scientific knowledge and supporting long-term innovation. Labour costs remained the biggest component of spending, representing 67.0% of total R&D expenditure, underlining the importance of skilled researchers and specialised professionals in driving the country’s research ecosystem.

Looking at expenditure by field of science, Engineering and Technology attracted the largest investment, accounting for 56.1% of total R&D spending. The sector continues to play a central role in Malta’s innovation landscape, supporting advancements across industry, digital technologies and applied research.

The country’s R&D workforce also remained substantial, with 3,760 employees engaged in research and development activities during 2024. Of these, 2,148 worked on a part-time basis, demonstrating the diverse ways research is carried out across academia, public institutions and industry.

According to the NSO, Government Budget Allocations for Research and Development (GBARD) in 2025 also point to continued public support for innovation. The highest level of funding was allocated to R&D financed through General University Funds for Social Sciences, highlighting the government’s recognition of the role social science research plays in addressing societal challenges and informing public policy.

Overall, the latest NSO figures reflect Malta’s continued efforts to strengthen its research and innovation capabilities by investing in both scientific research and the people driving it, while supporting a broad range of disciplines that contribute to the country’s long-term economic and social development.