Malta, among other EU countries, contributes to this sectoral diversity, with the EU accounting for 367 of the world's top 2500 R&D investors. Half of these companies are in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, concentrating 73% of private R&D investment in the EU.

The EU sectoral distribution reveals a broad representation of investors, showing a higher degree of diversity compared to the US. The automotive sector accounts for 32% of R&D investments, followed by health (19.7%), ICT producers (14.4%), and ICT services (8%). Notably, 18% of the EU's top 1000 R&D investors are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with two-thirds coming from the health sector.

The Scoreboard for 2023 underscores the strategic importance of R&D investment to maintain competitiveness, even during crises. European firms, including those in Malta, have shown a notable commitment to environmental responsibility, leading in the reduction of carbon footprints among Scoreboard companies. The EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard, now in its 20th edition, provides essential economic and financial information based on the audited accounts of the world's top 2500 R&D investors.