Eastern Asia vs Japan: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Eastern Asia
2.8%
in 2023
Japan
3.4%
in 2023
Eastern Asia rank
3rd
Japan rank
6th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Eastern Asia
  • Japan
0123200020112023

How they compare

Japan currently reports 3.4% against 2.8% in Eastern Asia, a difference of 0.6%.

That makes Japan's figure about 1.2 times Eastern Asia's.

Across all 24 years both countries report, Japan has been ahead every year.

Eastern Asia ranks 3rd and Japan ranks 6th of 22 groups.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Eastern Asia Japan Difference Ahead
2000s 2.0% 3.1% 1.1% Japan
2010s 2.3% 3.2% 0.9% Japan
2020s 2.7% 3.3% 0.6% Japan

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp, Eastern Asia or Japan?
Japan, at 3.4% against 2.8% in Eastern Asia as of 2023.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Eastern Asia and Japan?
0.6%, with Japan ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Eastern Asia and Japan?
24 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2023.
How do Eastern Asia and Japan rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Eastern Asia ranks 3rd and Japan ranks 6th of 22 groups.
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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Eastern Asia vs Japan: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 12 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/compare/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/eastern-asia/japan/

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%)
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