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

Europe
2.0%
in 2023
Sweden
3.6%
in 2023
Europe rank
6th
Sweden rank
4th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Europe
  • Sweden
01234200020112023

How they compare

Sweden currently reports 3.6% against 2.0% in Europe, a difference of 1.6%.

That makes Sweden's figure about 1.8 times Europe's.

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

Europe ranks 6th and Sweden ranks 4th of 22 groups.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Europe Sweden Difference Ahead
2000s 1.7% 3.5% 1.7% Sweden
2010s 1.9% 3.3% 1.4% Sweden
2020s 2.0% 3.5% 1.5% 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, Europe or Sweden?
Sweden, at 3.6% against 2.0% in Europe as of 2023.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Europe and Sweden?
1.6%, with Sweden ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Europe and Sweden?
22 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
How do Europe and Sweden rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Europe ranks 6th and Sweden ranks 4th 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 vs Sweden: 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/europe/sweden/

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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