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Research and development spending
What this indicator measures
What the country (government and businesses) invests in research and innovation, compared with its wealth.
How to read this?
A high level shows an economy that is betting on technology and innovation.
Ranking : ranked from highest to lowest
In brief
The "Research and development spending" ranking covers 155 countries and territories. Lowest value: Guatemala (0 %). Highest value: Israel (6.3 %). Median: 0.4 % (data: 1999–2024). The top 10% of countries exceed 2.2 %, while the bottom 10% stay below 0.1 %. By continent, the median is highest in Europe (1.4 %) and lowest in North America (0.2 %).
Median by continent
- Europe 1.4 % (43)
- Oceania 0.4 % (5)
- South America 0.4 % (10)
- Africa 0.3 % (35)
- Asia 0.3 % (42)
- North America 0.2 % (18)
Why this indicator matters
This indicator measures the effort a country makes to invent and innovate, public and private combined. It lets you compare those betting on tomorrow's science, technology and patents. It is a good sign of an economy's ability to renew itself.
What makes this indicator vary
It rises with the presence of technology companies, universities and laboratories, and with public support for innovation. It stays low in economies based on raw materials or agriculture, where resources to fund research are lacking.
Reading precautions
The indicator counts money spent, not the quality of results. It is expressed in proportion to wealth, so a large and a small country are comparable, but not in total volume. Data are sometimes published with a delay.
Full ranking
ranked from highest to lowest
| Rank | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1er | 🇮🇱 Israel | 6.3 % | 2023 |
| 2e | 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | 6 % | 2023 |
| 3e | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 4.9 % | 2023 |
| 4e | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 3.6 % | 2023 |
| 5e | 🇺🇸 United States | 3.4 % | 2023 |
| 6e | 🇯🇵 Japan | 3.4 % | 2023 |
| 7e | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 3.3 % | 2023 |
| 8e | 🇦🇹 Austria | 3.3 % | 2023 |
| 9e | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 3.2 % | 2023 |
| 10e | 🇩🇪 Germany | 3.2 % | 2023 |
| 11e | 🇫🇮 Finland | 3.1 % | 2023 |
| 12e | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 3 % | 2023 |
| 13e | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 2.7 % | 2023 |
| 14e | 🇮🇸 Iceland | 2.6 % | 2023 |
| 15e | 🇨🇳 China | 2.6 % | 2023 |
| 16e | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2.3 % | 2023 |
| 17e | 🇫🇷 France | 2.2 % | 2023 |
| 18e | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 2.1 % | 2023 |
| 19e | 🇦🇺 Australia | 1.9 % | 2021 |
| 20e | 🇳🇴 Norway | 1.9 % | 2023 |
| 21e | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 1.8 % | 2023 |
| 22e | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 1.8 % | 2023 |
| 23e | 🇸🇬 Singapore | 1.8 % | 2022 |
| 24e | 🇨🇦 Canada | 1.8 % | 2024 |
| 25e | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 1.7 % | 2023 |
| 26e | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 1.6 % | 2023 |
| 27e | 🇵🇱 Poland | 1.6 % | 2023 |
| 28e | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 1.5 % | 2023 |
| 29e | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 1.5 % | 2021 |
| 30e | 🇬🇷 Greece | 1.5 % | 2023 |
| 31e | 🇪🇸 Spain | 1.5 % | 2023 |
| 32e | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 1.4 % | 2023 |
| 33e | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 1.4 % | 2023 |
| 34e | 🇮🇹 Italy | 1.4 % | 2023 |
| 35e | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 1.4 % | 2023 |
| 36e | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 1.2 % | 2023 |
| 37e | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong SAR China | 1.1 % | 2024 |
| 38e | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 1.1 % | 2023 |
| 39e | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | 1 % | 2023 |
| 40e | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 1 % | 2023 |
| 41e | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 1 % | 2024 |
| 42e | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | 1 % | 2022 |
| 43e | 🇷🇸 Serbia | 0.9 % | 2024 |
| 44e | 🇷🇺 Russia | 0.9 % | 2024 |
| 45e | 🇹🇭 Thailand | 0.9 % | 2023 |
| 46e | 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands | 0.9 % | 2003 |
| 47e | 🇱🇻 Latvia | 0.8 % | 2023 |
| 48e | 🇰🇪 Kenya | 0.8 % | 2024 |
| 49e | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 0.8 % | 2023 |
| 50e | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | 0.8 % | 2023 |
| 51e | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | 0.7 % | 2019 |
| 52e | 🇮🇷 Iran | 0.7 % | 2021 |
| 53e | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | 0.7 % | 2023 |
| 54e | 🇯🇴 Jordan | 0.7 % | 2016 |
| 55e | 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 0.7 % | 2023 |
| 56e | 🇶🇦 Qatar | 0.7 % | 2021 |
| 57e | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 0.7 % | 2010 |
| 58e | 🇲🇹 Malta | 0.6 % | 2023 |
| 59e | 🇳🇦 Namibia | 0.6 % | 2022 |
| 60e | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 0.6 % | 2004 |
| 61e | 🇮🇳 India | 0.6 % | 2020 |
| 62e | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 0.6 % | 2024 |
| 63e | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 0.6 % | 2022 |
| 64e | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 0.6 % | 2023 |
| 65e | 🇧🇾 Belarus | 0.6 % | 2024 |
| 66e | 🇬🇦 Gabon | 0.6 % | 2009 |
| 67e | 🇸🇳 Senegal | 0.6 % | 2015 |
| 68e | 🇧🇼 Botswana | 0.6 % | 2013 |
| 69e | 🇷🇴 Romania | 0.5 % | 2023 |
| 70e | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | 0.5 % | 2013 |
| 71e | 🇩🇿 Algeria | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 72e | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 72e | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 0.4 % | 2014 |
| 74e | 🇺🇬 Uganda | 0.4 % | 2023 |
| 75e | 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico | 0.4 % | 2015 |
| 76e | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | 0.4 % | 2023 |
| 77e | 🇨🇩 Congo - Kinshasa | 0.4 % | 2015 |
| 78e | 🇦🇸 American Samoa | 0.4 % | 2006 |
| 79e | 🇨🇱 Chile | 0.4 % | 2022 |
| 80e | 🇴🇲 Oman | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 81e | 🇨🇬 Congo - Brazzaville | 0.4 % | 2022 |
| 82e | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 0.4 % | 2010 |
| 83e | 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 84e | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 0.4 % | 2024 |
| 85e | 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 0.4 % | 2019 |
| 86e | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 0.3 % | 2023 |
| 87e | 🇻🇪 Venezuela | 0.3 % | 2014 |
| 88e | 🇲🇴 Macao SAR China | 0.3 % | 2024 |
| 89e | 🇲🇿 Mozambique | 0.3 % | 2015 |
| 90e | 🇳🇵 Nepal | 0.3 % | 2010 |
| 91e | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 0.3 % | 2020 |
| 92e | 🇦🇲 Armenia | 0.3 % | 2024 |
| 93e | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 0.3 % | 2019 |
| 94e | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 0.3 % | 2020 |
| 95e | 🇿🇲 Zambia | 0.3 % | 2008 |
| 96e | 🇸🇿 Eswatini | 0.3 % | 2015 |
| 97e | 🇧🇳 Brunei | 0.3 % | 2018 |
| 98e | 🇵🇭 Philippines | 0.3 % | 2020 |
| 99e | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | 0.3 % | 2017 |
| 100e | 🇱🇨 St. Lucia | 0.3 % | 1999 |
| 101e | 🇬🇪 Georgia | 0.3 % | 2024 |
| 102e | 🇲🇺 Mauritius | 0.3 % | 2024 |
| 103e | 🇬🇺 Guam | 0.3 % | 2005 |
| 104e | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 0.3 % | 2024 |
| 105e | 🇹🇩 Chad | 0.2 % | 2016 |
| 106e | 🇧🇲 Bermuda | 0.2 % | 2020 |
| 107e | 🇸🇩 Sudan | 0.2 % | 2005 |
| 108e | 🇹🇬 Togo | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 109e | 🇲🇩 Moldova | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 110e | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 111e | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 0.2 % | 2018 |
| 112e | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 113e | 🇸🇨 Seychelles | 0.2 % | 2016 |
| 114e | 🇦🇱 Albania | 0.2 % | 2022 |
| 115e | 🇵🇦 Panama | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 116e | 🇧🇭 Bahrain | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 117e | 🇲🇼 Malawi | 0.2 % | 2019 |
| 118e | 🇵🇪 Peru | 0.2 % | 2023 |
| 119e | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 0.2 % | 2023 |
| 120e | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | 0.2 % | 2024 |
| 121e | 🇦🇩 Andorra | 0.2 % | 2022 |
| 122e | 🇲🇱 Mali | 0.1 % | 2023 |
| 123e | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 0.1 % | 2023 |
| 124e | 🇻🇨 St. Vincent & Grenadines | 0.1 % | 2002 |
| 125e | 🇳🇮 Nicaragua | 0.1 % | 2015 |
| 126e | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | 0.1 % | 2022 |
| 127e | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | 0.1 % | 2024 |
| 128e | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 0.1 % | 2024 |
| 129e | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 0.1 % | 2023 |
| 130e | 🇧🇹 Bhutan | 0.1 % | 2024 |
| 131e | 🇱🇸 Lesotho | 0.1 % | 2023 |
| 132e | 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | 0.1 % | 2023 |
| 133e | 🇹🇯 Tajikistan | 0.1 % | 2020 |
| 134e | 🇰🇼 Kuwait | 0.1 % | 2024 |
| 135e | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 0.1 % | 2015 |
| 136e | 🇲🇳 Mongolia | 0.1 % | 2022 |
| 137e | 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire | 0.1 % | 2016 |
| 138e | 🇬🇲 Gambia | 0.1 % | 2018 |
| 139e | 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | 0.1 % | 2011 |
| 140e | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | 0.1 % | 2021 |
| 141e | 🇯🇲 Jamaica | 0.1 % | 2002 |
| 142e | 🇭🇳 Honduras | 0.1 % | 2019 |
| 143e | 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | 0.1 % | 2024 |
| 144e | 🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago | 0.1 % | 2022 |
| 145e | 🇸🇾 Syria | 0 % | 2022 |
| 146e | 🇮🇶 Iraq | 0 % | 2021 |
| 147e | 🇲🇨 Monaco | 0 % | 2005 |
| 148e | 🇱🇦 Laos | 0 % | 2002 |
| 149e | 🇦🇴 Angola | 0 % | 2016 |
| 150e | 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea | 0 % | 2016 |
| 151e | 🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands | 0 % | 2007 |
| 152e | 🇲🇲 Myanmar (Burma) | 0 % | 2023 |
| 153e | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | 0 % | 2017 |
| 154e | 🇲🇷 Mauritania | 0 % | 2018 |
| 155e | 🇬🇹 Guatemala | 0 % | 2023 |
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the highest value for "Research and development spending"?
The highest value is in Israel, at 6.3 % (2023).
Which country has the lowest value for "Research and development spending"?
The lowest value is in Guatemala, at 0 % (2023).
What is the world median value of "Research and development spending"?
The world median is 0.4 %, calculated across 155 countries: half of the countries are above it, the other half below.
What is the value of "Research and development spending" for France?
France scores 2.2 % (2023), ranking 17 out of 155 countries (ranked from highest to lowest).
Where does the "Research and development spending" data come from?
It comes from Banque mondiale – Indicateurs du développement dans le monde (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS). Site last updated: November 8, 2026. Each country is shown with the year of its most recent value.
What does research and development include?
It covers spending to acquire new knowledge and to create or improve products and processes. This includes basic research, applied research and development, carried out by government, companies and universities.
Why is it measured as a percentage of GDP?
Because it relates the effort to the size of the economy. A large and a small country can then be compared on an equal footing, rather than looking only at raw amounts.
Source and update
Source : Banque mondiale – Indicateurs du développement dans le monde (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS). Site last updated: November 8, 2026.
Indicators in the same category : Public finances
- Government final consumptionWhat the government spends to run public services (salaries, supplies and so on), compared with the country's wealth.
- Central government debtWhat the central government owes in total, compared with what the country produces in one year.
- Military spendingWhat the country spends on its armed forces, compared with its wealth.
- Central government spendingWhat the central government spends each year (salaries, pensions, roads, health and so on), compared with the size of the economy.
- Share of income taxes in government revenueCitizens and companies pay taxes to the state. This indicator shows what share of central government revenue comes from taxes on income, corporate profits and capital gains, rather than from other revenue (sales taxes, customs duties, grants, etc.).
- Tax revenueThe taxes and duties collected by the central government, compared with the size of the economy.
- Budget balanceThe difference between what the government takes in and what it spends, compared with the size of the economy.