Determinants of sustainable economic development in the EU: the role of innovation and infrastructure resilience
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2026.25897Abstract
Technological innovation and infrastructure resilience are key pillars of sustainable economic development in the European Union, directly contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9). This goal supports the transition to a competitive, climate-neutral and digitized economy by 2050 by strengthening resilient infrastructures, promoting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation capacity. This study investigates EU Member States’ performance against SDG 9, using a set of indicators provided by Eurostat and applying the Holt-Winters (AAA) forecasting model to project trends through 2030. The analysis covers key areas such as R&D expenditure, patent activity, sustainable mobility and industrial emissions intensity. The results reveal significant progress in strengthening innovation capacity in some Member States; however, considerable regional disparities remain, particularly in transport infrastructure and industrial decarbonization. The study therefore highlights the need for integrated public policies, enhanced trans-national cooperation and targeted financial support to reduce structural gaps and accelerate sustainable convergence at European level. The conclusions emphasize the importance of an adaptive policy framework that harnesses the potential of emerging technologies and strengthens the resilience of industrial and infrastructure systems to meet the EU’s climate and economic objectives.
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sustainable development, 2030 Agenda, SDG 9, resilient infrastructure, inclusive industrialization, sustainable innovationHow to Cite
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