Article History Keywords Sustainability European Union R&D expenditure Environmental assessment Quantitative analysis Economic growth Indicators. This study aims to explore the level of sustainable development in the European Union and examines the relationship that may exist between the sustainability index and the population of its member states, the GDP per capita, and the investments made in R&D. Furthermore, it aims to explore the role of the geographical region as a determining factor in

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... he performance of these countries in each sustainability dimension. The research methodology employs a quantitative approach supported by the adoption of simple and multiple linear regression, cluster analysis, and variance analysis (ANOVA). The findings reveal that R&D expenditure is mainly a determining factor in a country's sustainable performance. Moreover, it has been possible to identify several asymmetries, with geographical region emerging as a determining factor in the performance of European Union countries in 11 of the 17 dimensions of sustainability. This work offers both theoretical and practical contributions. From the theoretical perspective, it explores the relationship between sustainability and investments in R&D, GDP per capita, and population. From a practical point of view, it offers relevant information to be used by European Union countries to establish supportive policies to enhance the sustainability of economic growth. Contribution/Originality: This study contributes to the existing literature by exploring the current state of sustainable development in the European Union (EU). The aim is to assess the relevance of multiple dimensions such as population, GDP per capita, and R&D investments in the sustainable development performance of the EU member countries. Economic development has brought a variety of opportunities, but also threats, that affect the structure of economic activities, the society, and the environmental balance. Bradshaw, Giam, and Sodhi (2010) state that the constant population increase, coupled with the growth in consumption of non-renewable resources, has generated strong implications for our way of life (e.g., the increase in pollution and climate change). The concept of sustainable development gained greater prominence with the Brundtland Report proposed in 1983, which explores the concept of sustainable development from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes the role of the international economy, human resources, industry, energy, species and ecosystems, among others