Countries that Spend the Most on R&D (2023)
Source: World Bank·25 countries·Updated 2023
R&D spending is the engine of innovation and long-term growth. Here are the 25 countries investing the most in research in 2023.
Israel leads with R&D spending (% of GDP) of 6.35%.
Liechtenstein ranks #2 at 6.01%.
Korea, Rep. ranks #3 at 4.94%.
Sweden ranks #4 at 3.60%.
United States ranks #5 at 3.45%.
Top 25 Countries by R&D Spending (% of GDP)
| # | Country | R&D Spending (% of GDP) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Israel | 6.35% | 2023 |
| 2 |  Liechtenstein | 6.01% | 2023 |
| 3 |  Korea, Rep. | 4.94% | 2023 |
| 4 |  Sweden | 3.60% | 2023 |
| 5 |  United States | 3.45% | 2023 |
| 6 |  Japan | 3.44% | 2023 |
| 7 |  Belgium | 3.27% | 2023 |
| 8 |  Austria | 3.26% | 2023 |
| 9 |  Switzerland | 3.22% | 2023 |
| 10 |  Germany | 3.15% | 2023 |
| 11 |  Finland | 3.09% | 2023 |
| 12 |  Denmark | 3.05% | 2023 |
| 13 |  United Kingdom | 2.68% | 2023 |
| 14 |  Iceland | 2.64% | 2023 |
| 15 |  China | 2.58% | 2023 |
| 16 |  Netherlands | 2.27% | 2023 |
| 17 |  France | 2.18% | 2023 |
| 18 |  Slovenia | 2.13% | 2023 |
| 19 |  Australia | 1.86% | 2021 |
| 20 |  Norway | 1.85% | 2023 |
| 21 |  Estonia | 1.84% | 2023 |
| 22 |  Czechia | 1.83% | 2023 |
| 23 |  Singapore | 1.81% | 2022 |
| 24 |  Canada | 1.79% | 2024 |
| 25 |  Portugal | 1.69% | 2023 |
Data from 114 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the highest R&D spending (% of GDP) in 2023?
Israel has the highest R&D spending (% of GDP) at 6.35% in 2023.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the top 25 countries out of 114 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the World Bank. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.