R&D expenditure % GDP in World stood at 2.6% of GDP in 2023, according to World Bank. The latest value is up 0.03 percentage points from 2.57% of GDP in 2022. Ten years earlier, in 2013, the value was 1.98% of GDP (up 0.62 percentage points since). The latest value is the highest since 1996; the lowest was 1.92% of GDP in 2007.
Data source: World Bank · Unit: % of GDP · Category: Technology and Internet · Explore more indicators on EconDash
R&D expenditure % GDP, measured in % of GDP, measures the total economic output of World. It represents the broadest indicator of economic activity, capturing production, income, and expenditure across all sectors — from manufacturing and services to agriculture and government. GDP can be calculated three ways: by adding up all expenditures (consumption + investment + government spending + net exports), by summing all incomes earned, or by totaling value added at each production stage. In World, the statistical agency compiles GDP data through comprehensive surveys of businesses, government records, and household expenditure patterns. While GDP per capita provides insight into average living standards, it does not capture income distribution, environmental costs, or unpaid work like caregiving. Nevertheless, GDP growth remains the most widely followed metric for assessing whether an economy is expanding or contracting.
R&D expenditure % GDP in World stood at 2.6% of GDP in 2023, according to World Bank.
The latest value is up 0.03 percentage points from 2.57% of GDP in 2022. Ten years earlier, in 2013, the value was 1.98% of GDP (up 0.62 percentage points since).
The latest value is the highest since 1996; the lowest was 1.92% of GDP in 2007.
| Indicator | R&D expenditure % GDP |
|---|---|
| Country | World |
| Category | Technology and Internet |
| Unit | % of GDP |
| Source | World Bank |
| Interactive chart | View on EconDash |
| API access | EconDash API documentation |
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World Bank. (2026). R&D expenditure % GDP — World [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/WLD. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
World Bank. "R&D expenditure % GDP — World." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/WLD. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS.
World Bank. 2026. "R&D expenditure % GDP — World." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/WLD. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS.
@misc{econdash_r_and_d_expenditure_percent_gdp_wld,
author = {{World Bank}},
title = {{R\&D expenditure \% GDP --- World}},
howpublished = {EconDash},
year = {2026},
url = {https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/WLD},
note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS}
}Browse indicators available for World. Click any indicator to view its interactive chart, compare with other countries, and download historical data.
| Demographics | 35 indicators |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | 38 indicators |
| Macroeconomics | 91 indicators |
| Education | 8 indicators |
| Commodities and Energy | 75 indicators |
| Technology and Internet | 7 indicators |
| Transport and Logistics | 17 indicators |
| Labor and Employment | 29 indicators |
| Financial Markets | 8 indicators |
| Total indicators | 308 |