Regional Disparities in R&D and Innovation Expenditures: A Comparison between the Bratislava Region and Other Slovak Regions

This paper examines regional disparities in research and innovation (R&D) expenditures across Slovakia, with particular emphasis on differences between the Bratislava Region and the remaining NUTS 2 regions. The aim of the study is to identify the extent of these disparities and to assess whether they are statistically significant. The analysis is based on secondary data obtained from the Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS) 2023, compiled by the European Commission in cooperation with Maastricht University. Using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis, including independent samples t-tests, the study compares public and private R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP across Slovak regions. The results reveal that the Bratislava Region significantly outperforms other regions in both public and private R&D investment, confirming the presence of pronounced regional disparities in innovation financing. These findings highlight the need for targeted, region-specific innovation policies aimed at strengthening R&D capacity in less developed regions and supporting more balanced regional development in Slovakia.