Europe and Northern America vs United States: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Europe and Northern America
2.5%
in 2023
United States
3.4%
in 2023
Europe and Northern America rank
4th
United States rank
5th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Europe and Northern America
  • United States
0123200020112023

How they compare

United States currently reports 3.4% against 2.5% in Europe and Northern America, a difference of 0.9%.

That makes United States's figure about 1.4 times Europe and Northern America's.

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

Europe and Northern America ranks 4th and United States ranks 5th of 22 groups.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Europe and Northern America United States Difference Ahead
2000s 2.1% 2.6% 0.5% United States
2010s 2.3% 2.8% 0.6% United States
2020s 2.6% 3.5% 0.9% United States

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp, Europe and Northern America or United States?
United States, at 3.4% against 2.5% in Europe and Northern America as of 2023.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Europe and Northern America and United States?
0.9%, with United States ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Europe and Northern America and United States?
24 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2023.
How do Europe and Northern America and United States rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Europe and Northern America ranks 4th and United States ranks 5th 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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Europe and Northern America vs United States: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/compare/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/europe-and-northern-america/united-states/

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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