Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)



Countries By Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)



Key points



Official Definition of Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)

Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.



Importance



Top 10 Countries by Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)

Bottom 10 Countries by Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)



Regions

Europe

Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) varies among the listed countries, with the highest being Belgium at 3.40% and the lowest in Bosnia and Herzegovina at 0.20%. Countries like Austria, Denmark, and Sweden invest significantly above the EU average of 2%. Advantages of higher expenditure include fostering innovation and technological advancements, leading to economic growth. However, higher spending can strain government budgets. For countries with lower expenditure like Belarus and Moldova, innovation and competitiveness may suffer. Overall, a higher R&D expenditure (% of GDP) signifies a commitment to long-term growth and global competitiveness for each country.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) varies among the selected countries. South Korea leads with 4.79%, followed by Japan with 3.27%, and China with 2.41%. Singapore allocates 2.16% to R&D, Thailand 1.33%, Malaysia 0.95%, Indonesia 0.28%, and Mongolia and Myanmar allocate the least. Higher R&D expenditure signifies innovation and economic diversification, benefiting countries like South Korea and Japan. However, excessive expenditure without significant outcomes can burden economies. For nations like Indonesia and Myanmar, low R&D expenditure may hinder technological advancement and competitiveness. This statistic reflects a country's commitment to innovation and can impact long-term economic growth and global competitiveness for each nation.

ASEAN

Indonesia allocates 0.28% of its GDP to research and development, showcasing a moderate commitment in this area. Malaysia stands out with a higher investment of 0.95%, indicating a stronger focus on innovation. Myanmar lags behind significantly with only 0.15% dedicated to R&D. Meanwhile, Singapore leads the pack with 2.16%, highlighting its advanced technological capabilities. Thailand falls in the middle at 1.33%, demonstrating a solid investment in research. Higher R&D expenditure can lead to technological advancement and competitiveness, benefitting countries like Malaysia and Singapore. However, lower spending, as seen in Indonesia and Myanmar, may hinder their ability to innovate and keep up with global advancements.

Latin America

Argentina, with a Research and development expenditure of 0.54% of GDP, leads the group showing a commitment to innovation in diverse sectors. Brazil follows closely behind at 1.15%, reflecting a strong focus on R&D in various industries. Chile, at 0.33%, and Uruguay at 0.45%, both demonstrate moderate R&D investments. On the other hand, countries like Guatemala and Paraguay with less than 0.16% show limited focus on innovation. This statistic underscores the importance of R&D in driving long-term economic growth and competitiveness. While higher expenditure signifies a potential for future technological advancements, lower spending may indicate a risk of falling behind in global innovation and competitiveness for certain countries.

Middle East

Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) varies among the selected countries with Israel allocating the highest at 5.71% and Kuwait the lowest at 0.19%. Israel's substantial investment reflects its strong focus on innovation, contributing to technological advancements and economic growth. Turkey and the United Arab Emirates also prioritize R&D spending above 1%, indicating their commitment to fostering knowledge-based economies. On the other hand, countries like Armenia and Azerbaijan allocate less than 0.25%, potentially hindering their competitiveness in the global market due to limited innovation. While higher R&D expenditure can drive long-term economic progress, it also requires efficient management to ensure tangible returns on investment for sustainable development.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) varies among the selected countries with the United States having the highest expenditure at 3.47% and China following closely at 2.41%. The United Kingdom also allocates a significant portion of its GDP at 2.93%, while Canada stands at 1.89%. Brazil, the Russian Federation, and India have lower expenditures ranging from 1.15% to 0.65%. South Africa has the lowest allocation at 0.60%. Higher R&D spending can lead to technological innovation and economic growth, giving an edge to countries like the US and China. However, it can also strain government finances. Lower spending may hinder innovation but allow for focus on other development priorities.

Russia v Ukraine

Russia leads in research and development expenditure relative to GDP at 1.09%, surpassing Ukraine's 0.40%. This indicates Russia's stronger focus on innovation and technological advancement compared to Ukraine. For Russia, this higher expenditure demonstrates a commitment to boosting competitiveness and fostering economic growth through technology. However, it may also signify a potential over-reliance on R&D as a driver of growth, risking neglect of other crucial sectors. In contrast, Ukraine's lower expenditure may highlight budget constraints, limiting its capacity for innovation-led growth. Ultimately, while Russia's investment can spur long-term development, Ukraine may need to find a balance between prioritizing R&D and addressing broader economic challenges.

France v United Kingdom

In terms of Research and Development expenditure as a percentage of GDP, France allocates 2.28% of its GDP while the United Kingdom allocates a slightly higher percentage at 2.93%. This reflects the commitment of both countries towards innovation and technological advancements. France's lower expenditure may indicate a more focused approach while the UK's higher expenditure showcases a potentially wider scope of R&D activities. Advantages for France include possibly more efficient resource utilization, whereas the UK may benefit from greater innovation diversity. This statistic implies that France may prioritize targeted research areas while the UK may have a more expansive R&D landscape, both crucial for long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

Turkey v Greece

In 2020, Greece allocated 1.51% of its GDP towards research and development (R&D), while Turkey allocated 1.37%. Greece's higher R&D expenditure indicates a commitment to innovation and technological advancement, potentially leading to long-term economic growth and competitiveness. However, Greece may face challenges in effectively utilizing these funds due to administrative inefficiencies. On the other hand, Turkey's slightly lower R&D expenditure may indicate a focus on other economic priorities or limited emphasis on innovation. This could potentially hinder Turkey's ability to stay competitive in a rapidly advancing global economy. Overall, a higher R&D expenditure signifies a country's readiness for future challenges and opportunities, while a lower expenditure may indicate a need for strategic reevaluation to ensure sustainable development.

China v Japan

China, the People's Republic of, allocates 2.41% of its GDP to research and development, showing a focus on technological advancement and innovation. In contrast, Japan invests a higher percentage, 3.27%, indicating a strong commitment to R&D activities. China's advantage lies in its large population and growing market, providing opportunities for innovation to drive economic growth, while Japan benefits from a well-established research infrastructure and a history of technological leadership. However, China may face challenges in effectively translating R&D investment into tangible outcomes, whereas Japan's aging population could limit its ability to fully capitalize on research efforts. The impact of this statistic on both countries underscores the importance of sustained innovation for long-term economic competitiveness.



FAQs