Investigation of E-27 and Candidate Countries’ Lifelong Learning, R&D–Innovation Performances and Gross Domestic Product by Multidimensional Scaling Analysis

Vocational and technical education, which is offered in the quality required by the era, plays a major role in the growth of economies and the development of societies by raising entrepreneurs with R&D, P&D, and innovation awareness, as well as being a means of raising a productive workforce in a systematic and planned way. The lifelong learning journey also offers a great contribution to this process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of these factors on the economies of countries by comparing the lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation performances of countries with their per capita gross domestic product within the scope of both the data in the Global Innovation Index (GII) report and the data in the European Innovation Index scoring table. Ideas produced by using information-intensive innovative technologies and the products that emerge with the realization of these ideas contribute to economic growth by strengthening the competitiveness and economic structure of countries, thus, increasing living standards and increasing welfare. In this respect, it is important to measure and evaluate the lifelong learning, R&D, and innovation performances of countries. A multidimensional scaling analysis method was used in the study. In the analysis of data and documents obtained, it has been found that the countries that construct and carry out their vocational education and training activities according to the realities and needs of today’s world, have high R&D, innovation, and lifelong learning performances. It has been seen that the value added created in this way is also high and that has a decisive effect on their economic growth.