THE CHALLENGING PATH TO SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
As economic and social development increasingly depends on a country’s capacity to invest in knowledge and innovation, North Macedonia continues to face significant challenges in research and development. According to the latest data, the country allocates less than 1% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to science and innovative development—a figure far below the European Union average and that of many developed countries.
The European Commission’s 2024 report notes that while North Macedonia has made efforts to align with European standards, investments remain extremely low. In 2022, funds dedicated to research and innovation reached only 0.38% of GDP, with the private sector contributing just 0.1%, indicating stagnation compared to previous years.
Participation in the “Horizon Europe” program continues, but in 2023 only 17 projects secured funding of €3.4 million—a 30% decrease from 2022. Regarding innovation, the “European Innovation Scoreboard 2024” ranks North Macedonia as a “moderate innovator,” with a score at 45.1% of the EU average, reflecting a 4.5% drop compared to the previous year.
Experts stress the urgent need to increase investment in science and development to achieve sustainable growth and improve the country’s competitiveness. Lack of funding for education and scientific research negatively impacts overall social progress, particularly in today’s knowledge-driven era.
In June this year, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski highlighted that the national science and research budget has doubled. “The overall budget for science has increased from around €5.5 million in 2024 to 670–680 million denars in 2025, nearly double. Of course, this is still not sufficient,” Mickoski stated, adding that future years will see even more government support, as science is the driving force behind national development.
Despite this budget increase, North Macedonia remains far from substantial investments in research and innovation. Experts call for new dynamics to provide stronger momentum for scientific research and innovation, both essential for broad social progress.
Kristina Ampeva, a former textile worker from Štip and now an activist researching and advocating for textile workers’ rights in smaller Macedonian towns through the association “Glasen Tekstil,” emphasizes that lack of investment has hindered overall development. “Without investment in research, innovation, and development, we cannot expect progress in any sector,” she notes. Ampeva compares the situation to Borås in Sweden, known for its textile industry, green innovations, and sustainable material cycles, where government, municipalities, and the private sector collaborate to invest in education and sustainable innovation. “In our country, the absence of investment blocks progress across all fields. To achieve sustainable development, research capacity must be improved and resources used strategically,” she adds.
Ahmed Qazimi, Head of the Higher Education Sector at the Ministry of Education and Science, confirms that the 2025 science budget reaches 680 million denars, compared to 380 million last year. “This upward trend will continue in the coming years,” he says, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving research activity and innovative development. Yet he acknowledges that the current level remains low by international standards, requiring a more integrated strategy to mobilize existing resources effectively.
Ali Pajaziti, professor at the Southeast European University (SEEU) in Tetovo, explains that allocating less than 1% of GDP to science negatively affects society as a whole. “We live in a knowledge-based society, where progress in science is a pillar of overall social development. Leading countries invest far more: Israel 5.56%, South Korea 4.93%, USA and Sweden 3.46%, Switzerland 3.36%, UK 2.91%, Slovenia 2.13%. Compared to our country, it is clear why innovation is limited and technological advancement is weak,” he stresses. Pajaziti warns of brain drain and the loss of young talent, creating a situation where universities function more as teaching institutions than centers for innovative research.
Veli Kreci, regular professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, SEEU Tetovo, underlines that without sufficient investment in research, competitive research capacity cannot be developed. “Investment percentages need to rise, and collaboration between key research institutions should be encouraged to mobilize resources more efficiently,” he says, recommending inter-institutional networking as a practice that can yield concrete results even with limited funding.
University professor Petar Atanasov highlights three key terms: “research, development, and innovation.” He notes that countries advancing in these areas invest over 3% of GDP in research and innovation. “We have stagnated at a low percentage for a long time, while investment in this sector provides long-term benefits for the economy and society. It is essential to internalize investment in academic and human capital, harmonize activities with the European research space, and improve education and training policies according to international standards,” he adds, warning that without these changes, the country cannot compete globally in innovation and scientific research.
North Macedonia remains far behind developed countries regarding science and innovation investment. Even though the 2025 budget has nearly doubled, the country still spends less than 1% of GDP on scientific research, lagging far behind European and global standards. Experts stress that insufficient investment directly hampers economic development, innovation, and competitiveness.
They emphasize that increased funding must be accompanied by collaboration among universities, businesses, and state institutions to create a strong research and innovation ecosystem. Without these measures, North Macedonia risks losing talent and falling further behind countries that invest significantly more in knowledge and technology.
Ultimately, investing in science and innovation is not just an expenditure—it is an opportunity to build a more sustainable and competitive future for the entire country.
This text was developed within the framework of the project “Representation for Inclusive Development,” financially supported by the Government of Switzerland through the Civica Mobilitas program. The content of this text is the sole responsibility of the Forum for Reasonable Policies, IOHN, and BIRC and does not in any way reflect the views of the Government of Switzerland, Civica Mobilitas, or its implementing organizations.