countries. and science and technology become to a greater degree an Independent branch of their national economy. The growth of S&T resources and further compl lcatlon of S&T Internal structure 431 are accompanied by the growth of aggregate S&T potential ttles of Individual CMEA countries as wei I as their Influence on material production. The past decade witnessed a continuous growth of absolute R&D expenses In all European CMEA member States. In 1970-1980 they raised by 2.1 times In Bulgaria, 2.8 times In Hungary; 1•8 times In the German Democratic Republ lc, 3.3 times In Poland, 1.8 times In the USSR and 1.6 times In Czechoslovakia. At the same time the analysis of expenditures of ·these countries on R&D activities during two last five-year periods Indicates a definite trend of slowing down their growth rates. Thus, the Increment of expenditures during 1970-75 and 1975-80 periods respectively was 48.4% and 42.0% In Bulgaria, 80S and 56.4S In Hungary, 150% and 34S In Poland~ 39.3S and 15.3S tn Czechoslovakia. The Index of specific share of R&D expenditures In the national Income of a country Is often used to characterize the dynamics of S&T progress. In the majority of the European CMEA member-states this Index was growing during 1971-75 period after which It became stable. As a whole during the past decade the share of R&D expenditures In the national Income of Bulgaria lncresed trom 2.1S to 2.3S, In Hungary -from 2.81 to 3.71, In the German Democratic Republic -from 3.9S to 4.3S, In Poland­ from 1.8~USSR -from 4.01 to 4.7S, and In Czechoslovakia­ from 3.61 to 3.81. The tendency of reducing R&D expenditures growth rates during the past five-year plan period as compared with the preceding period Is explained to a certain extent by the fact that the CMEA member States have recently taken the course of 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the growth and development of science and technology (S&T) in various European countries, particularly in the context of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). It presents data on research and development (R&D) expenses, R&D potential, and the share of R&D expenditures in national income. The text does not explicitly mention any specific industries, natural resources, or environmental issues, which suggests that the main focus is on the overall S&T sector.

**Category**
Economic development, Science and technology