Belgium vs Sweden: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Belgium
3.3%
in 2023
Sweden
3.6%
in 2023
Belgium rank
7th
Sweden rank
4th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Belgium
  • Sweden
01234200020112023

How they compare

Sweden currently reports 3.6% against 3.3% in Belgium, a difference of 0.3%.

That makes Sweden's figure about 1.1 times Belgium's.

Across all 22 years both countries report, Sweden has been ahead every year.

Belgium ranks 7th and Sweden ranks 4th of 121 countries.

Sweden has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Belgium Sweden Difference Ahead
2000s 1.9% 3.5% 1.6% Sweden
2010s 2.5% 3.3% 0.8% Sweden
2020s 3.3% 3.5% 0.2% Sweden

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp, Belgium or Sweden?
Sweden, at 3.6% against 3.3% in Belgium as of 2023.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Belgium and Sweden?
0.3%, with Sweden ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Sweden?
22 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
How do Belgium and Sweden rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Belgium ranks 7th and Sweden ranks 4th of 121 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Belgium vs Sweden: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/compare/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/belgium/sweden/

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%)
Unit
%
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
143 places, 2,753 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed