After a series of deep and unprecedented shocks, the European economy is on a path of lower growth and lower productivity in comparison with the main global competitors. In order to achieve faster productivity growth, without undermining our social model or our environment, our growth strategy can only be based on science, research, technological development and innovation. These are the levers to expand potential output in a sustained and sustainable way, and secure Europe’s prosperity.
The 2026 report analyses the capacity of the European system to generate new knowledge and translate it into market value. It shows that Europe retains significant strengths in science — ranking second globally in scientific output, with strong public research institutions, industrial capabilities and a distinctive open science model. Yet these strengths do not always translate into faster productivity growth, technological leadership or strategic autonomy.
A system that remains fragmented across countries, regions and levels of government, and an overall lack of investment, pose a drag on the capacity to grow. Transforming research excellence into market leadership and productivity growth requires investment and scale.: stronger knowledge circulation, public funding that leverages private investment, better mobilisation of regional capabilities, and research that reaches firms and users.
2026 Report
The Commission has released the 2026 edition of the Science, Research and Innovation Performance (SRIP) report. This new edition offers a comprehensive and detailed overview of how Europe is performing today in terms of science, research, technology and innovation and analyses the key determinants of this performance.