1.1. Contact organisation
[4D0] European Commission (including Eurostat)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
[4D1_E2] Eurostat - Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact: ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
6 February 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
6 February 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
6 February 2026
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 2 on ending hunger and malnutrition; which are embedded in the European Commission’s 2024-2029 Priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature'.
SDG 2 - among other things - aims to ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. Improving agricultural productivity and maintaining sustainable and resilient food production systems are key factors in achieving this goal and depend to a large extend on increased investment in agricultural, food and nutrition research and development.
4.1. Data description
The indicator refers to Government budget allocations for R&D (GBARD) for agriculture. GBARD data measure government support to research and development (R&D) activities, or, in other words, how much priority governments place on the public funding of R&D. GBARD data are compiled using the guidelines laid out in the OECD’s Frascati Manual from 2015 and and the European Business Statistics Methodological Manual for R&D statistics of 2023. The data are expressed in current prices, meaning that the overall development of the indicator is in part also influenced by general price inflation.
4.2. Unit of measure
million euro and euro per inhabitant (current prices)
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (GBARD)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: Government budget allocations for R&D (GBARD).
Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), based on data compiled by the national statistical authorities: National Statistical Offices, Research Councils and Ministries using data collected for public budgets. In some countries R&D budget text analysis are supplemented with additional information obtained from the national funding agencies/ministries or through statistical surveys.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is data provider for the United States of America, Japan and South Korea.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via the Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
Preliminary GBARD data are transmitted at T+6 months and final data at T+1 year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Türkiye, the United States of America, Japan and South Korea.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable among all EU Member States respectively other transmitting countries.
Countries compile GBARD data following the Frascati manual recommendations. Among the few methodological issues which can affect the comparisons across countries, are the stage in the budgetary process from which final GBARD data are drawn (final budget appropriations or actual outlays); the inclusion of VAT or EU funds for R&D.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2004.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
see table sdg_02_30
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
