Czech Republic research funding faces real-term decline

In the Czech Republic, government budget discussions have highlighted a significant decline in funding for science and research. While the government has allocated approximately 45 billion CZK for next year, experts note this is roughly 2 billion CZK less than what the sector requires.

Economists point out that when adjusted for inflation, real spending on research and development has decreased by about one-sixth over the last eight years. This trend places Czechia's research expenditure at approximately 0.6 percent of GDP, which is roughly half of the European Union average per capita. Despite previous government commitments to increase innovation spending to drive economic growth, the Council for Research, Development, and Innovation had proposed a budget of 46.9 billion CZK for 2027, suggesting current trajectories remain below necessary levels.