The ‘Black’ Decade Of Belarusian Science

• 19.03.2019, 14:44

The expenses for research in Belarus have significantly dropped.

The costs of research and development were considered by the authors of the research “Reforming the R & D sector in Belarus: the main directions”, who were surprised themselves, writes “Your Country’s Tomorrow”.

“Somehow, I didn’t expect this. 2008-2017 is the present “black” decade of the Belarusian science,” writes Andrei Kazakevich, the director of the Institute for Political Studies “Political Sphere”, on his Facebook page.

In 2017, R & D (research and development) expenses amounted to $ 319 million, which is 30% less than a decade ago (2008), in 2016 it was even 48% less!

“If we take 2008 as a basis, then the total loss of the R & D sector over ten years is more than 700 million dollars. (that is, 4-5 average annual expenditures for 2013-2017),” the political analyst notes.

The situation with the budget money is similar. In 2017, 113 million dollars were allocated for research, which made only 56% by 2008. In 2016, it was generally 44%.

“The total underfunding compared to the “pre-crisis” 2008 over the past decade has made more than $ 500 million (also about 5 average annual expenditures),” writes Andrei Kazakevich.