R&D spending

shares of GDP · OBSERVED 2002–2024

Gross expenditure on research & development as a share of GDP.

Nations ranked
144
Highest
6.0%
Lowest
0.0%
Observed
2002–2024

This table mixes vintages: each publisher carries a nation’s latest available year, so the observations here run from 2002 to 2024 — every row shows its own.

Press a row — the specimen turns over to its label. Bars are drawn to the highest value. Highest, not best: this page orders figures, it does not grade nations.

  1. 6.0% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  2. 4.9% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  3. 3.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  4. 3.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  5. 3.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  6. 3.3% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  7. 3.3% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  8. 3.2% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  9. 3.2% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  10. 3.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  11. 3.0% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  12. 2.7% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  13. 2.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  14. 2.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  15. 2.3% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  16. 2.2% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  17. 2.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  18. 1.9% 2021
    Observed 2021 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  19. 1.9% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  20. 1.8% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  21. 1.8% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  22. 1.8% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  23. 1.7% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  24. 1.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  25. 1.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  26. 1.5% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  27. Observed 2021 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  28. 1.5% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  29. 1.5% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  30. 1.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  31. 1.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  32. 1.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  33. 1.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  34. 1.2% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  35. 1.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  36. 1.0% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  37. 1.0% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  38. 1.0% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  39. 1.0% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  40. 0.9% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  41. 0.9% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  42. 0.9% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  43. 0.8% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  44. 0.8% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  45. 0.8% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  46. 0.8% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  47. 0.7% 2019
    Observed 2019 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  48. 48 Iran
    0.7% 2021
    Observed 2021 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  49. 0.7% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  50. 0.7% 2016
    Observed 2016 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  51. 0.7% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  52. 0.7% 2021
    Observed 2021 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  53. 0.7% 2010
    Observed 2010 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  54. 0.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  55. 0.6% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  56. 0.6% 2004
    Observed 2004 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  57. 0.6% 2020
    Observed 2020 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  58. 0.6% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  59. 0.6% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  60. 0.6% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  61. 0.6% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  62. 0.6% 2009
    Observed 2009 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  63. 0.6% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  64. 0.6% 2013
    Observed 2013 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  65. 0.5% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  66. 0.5% 2013
    Observed 2013 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  67. 0.5% 2013
    Observed 2013 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  68. 0.4% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  69. 69 Cuba
    0.4% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  70. 0.4% 2014
    Observed 2014 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  71. 0.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  72. 0.4% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  73. 0.4% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  74. 0.4% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  75. 0.4% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  76. 76 Oman
    0.4% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  77. 0.4% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  78. 0.4% 2010
    Observed 2010 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  79. 0.4% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  80. 0.4% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  81. 0.4% 2019
    Observed 2019 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  82. 0.3% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  83. 0.3% 2014
    Observed 2014 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  84. 0.3% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  85. 0.3% 2010
    Observed 2010 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  86. 0.3% 2020
    Observed 2020 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  87. 0.3% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  88. 0.3% 2019
    Observed 2019 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  89. 0.3% 2020
    Observed 2020 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  90. 0.3% 2008
    Observed 2008 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  91. 0.3% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  92. 0.3% 2018
    Observed 2018 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  93. 0.3% 2020
    Observed 2020 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  94. 0.3% 2017
    Observed 2017 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  95. 0.3% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  96. 0.3% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  97. 0.3% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  98. 98 Chad
    0.2% 2016
    Observed 2016 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  99. 0.2% 2005
    Observed 2005 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  100. 100 Togo
    0.2% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  101. 0.2% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  102. Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  103. 0.2% 2018
    Observed 2018 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  104. 0.2% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  105. 0.2% 2016
    Observed 2016 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  106. 0.2% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  107. 107 Panama
    0.2% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  108. 108 Malawi
    0.2% 2019
    Observed 2019 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  109. 109 Peru
    0.2% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  110. 0.2% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  111. 0.2% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  112. 0.2% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  113. 113 Mali
    0.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  114. 0.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  115. 0.1% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  116. 0.1% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  117. 0.1% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  118. 0.1% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  119. 0.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  120. 120 Bhutan
    0.1% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  121. 0.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  122. 0.1% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  123. 0.1% 2020
    Observed 2020 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  124. 124 Kuwait
    0.1% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  125. 0.1% 2015
    Observed 2015 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  126. 0.1% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  127. 0.1% 2016
    Observed 2016 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  128. 128 Gambia
    0.1% 2018
    Observed 2018 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  129. 0.1% 2011
    Observed 2011 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  130. 0.1% 2021
    Observed 2021 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  131. 0.1% 2002
    Observed 2002 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  132. 0.1% 2019
    Observed 2019 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  133. 0.1% 2024
    Observed 2024 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  134. 0.1% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  135. 135 Syria
    0.0% 2022
    Observed 2022 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  136. 136 Iraq
    0.0% 2021
    Observed 2021 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  137. 137 Monaco
    0.0% 2005
    Observed 2005 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  138. 138 Laos
    0.0% 2002
    Observed 2002 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  139. 139 Angola
    0.0% 2016
    Observed 2016 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  140. 0.0% 2016
    Observed 2016 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  141. 0.0% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  142. 0.0% 2017
    Observed 2017 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  143. 0.0% 2018
    Observed 2018 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank
  144. 0.0% 2023
    Observed 2023 · UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank

Not observed

42 nations publish no figure for this indicator in the sources below. Absence is a fact about the world’s statistical apparatus, not a zero — these nations hold their place as hatched gaps, and a gap has no underside to turn over.

  • AfghanistanNOT OBSERVED
  • AntarcticaNOT OBSERVED

    Antarctica has no permanent population and no national government — it is administered under the Antarctic Treaty. No statistical agency compiles national indicators for it, so there is nothing here to report.

  • BahamasNOT OBSERVED
  • BangladeshNOT OBSERVED
  • BelizeNOT OBSERVED
  • BeninNOT OBSERVED
  • CameroonNOT OBSERVED
  • ComorosNOT OBSERVED
  • DjiboutiNOT OBSERVED
  • Dominican RepublicNOT OBSERVED
  • Equatorial GuineaNOT OBSERVED
  • EritreaNOT OBSERVED
  • Falkland IslandsNOT OBSERVED

    The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, administered by the United Kingdom; sovereignty is disputed by Argentina. They are not a separate reporting entity in World Bank datasets.

  • FijiNOT OBSERVED
  • The French Southern and Antarctic Lands have no permanent civilian population. They are administered from Réunion as an overseas territory of France and are not a separate reporting entity in international datasets.

  • GuineaNOT OBSERVED
  • Guinea-BissauNOT OBSERVED
  • GuyanaNOT OBSERVED
  • HaitiNOT OBSERVED
  • KosovoNOT OBSERVED
  • LebanonNOT OBSERVED
  • LiberiaNOT OBSERVED
  • LibyaNOT OBSERVED
  • New CaledoniaNOT OBSERVED
  • NigerNOT OBSERVED
  • North KoreaNOT OBSERVED
  • Northern CyprusNOT OBSERVED

    Northern Cyprus is recognised as a state by Türkiye alone. It is not a member of the United Nations or the World Bank, and does not appear as a separate entity in the datasets these indicators are drawn from.

  • San MarinoNOT OBSERVED
  • Sierra LeoneNOT OBSERVED
  • Solomon IslandsNOT OBSERVED
  • SomaliaNOT OBSERVED
  • SomalilandNOT OBSERVED

    Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and has not been recognised by the United Nations or any member state. Where its figures are collected at all, they are reported within Somalia's.

  • South SudanNOT OBSERVED
  • SurinameNOT OBSERVED
  • TaiwanNOT OBSERVED

    Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, and is excluded from the World Bank and UN series that supply most of this dossier. Its own statistical agencies publish extensively.

  • Timor-LesteNOT OBSERVED
  • VanuatuNOT OBSERVED
  • Vatican CityNOT OBSERVED

    Vatican City has a resident population of a few hundred and does not compile the economic and social series these indicators are drawn from.

  • YemenNOT OBSERVED
  • ZimbabweNOT OBSERVED
Source

R&D statistics (UNESCO UIS, via World Bank WDI) — UNESCO Institute for Statistics / World Bank · CC BY 4.0 · accessed 2026-08-14.

Table assembled 2026-08-14 from each nation’s latest published observation. The same figure, with the same source, sits on each nation’s dossier. Gaps render as absences, never as zeros.