SCIENTIFIC SUSTAINABILITY INDEX AS A TOOL FOR ASSESSING THE RESOURCE BASE OF NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UKRAINE, POLAND, AND LITHUANIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34132/pard2026.31.08Keywords:
scientific and educational potential, scientific sustainability, research and development (R&D), national innovation system, higher educationAbstract
At the present stage, the competitiveness of countries largely depends on the development of human potential, with science and education as its core components. Their interaction influences socio-political consolidation and supports the formation of an innovation-driven economy, becoming a key factor of economic growth. However, a comprehensive concept for studying scientific and educational potential as a social phenomenon remains underdeveloped. Therefore, its analysis is particularly relevant for defining strategic directions of science and higher education development in Ukraine and the European Union. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and educational potential of Ukraine in 2010-2025. The sustainability and development prospects of Ukraine’s education and science system are examined in comparison with Poland and Lithuania, countries highly integrated into the European Research Area with stable R&D funding. The study relies on data from international statistical databases (World Bank, WIPO, UNESCO, OECD), national higher education quality reports, and innovation indicators, including R&D expenditures and the number of researchers. Relationships between scientific and educational potential and regional macroeconomic indicators, such as gross regional product and per capita income, are identified, and practical recommendations for strengthening science and innovation policy are proposed. The findings indicate that Ukraine maintains one of the highest tertiary education enrolment levels in the region, in some years exceeding Poland and Lithuania. Despite demographic shifts and population displacement, the higher education system has shown resilience through rapid digitalization, temporary accreditation procedures, and institutional relocation. Nevertheless, long-term risks persist, particularly regarding the quality of student preparation, as evidenced by international comparative assessments, including PISA 2022.
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