Least Developed Countries (LDCs) vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
0.3%
in 2023
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2.7%
in 2023
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) rank
20th
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
13th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
0123200020112023

How they compare

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland currently reports 2.7% against 0.3% in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), a difference of 2.4%.

That makes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's figure about 9.7 times Least Developed Countries (LDCs)'s.

Across all 24 years both countries report, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been ahead every year.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) ranks 20th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 13th of 22 groups.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least Developed Countries (LDCs) United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Difference Ahead
2000s 0.2% 1.6% 1.4% United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2010s 0.3% 2.1% 1.9% United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2020s 0.3% 2.8% 2.5% United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at 2.7% against 0.3% in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as of 2023.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
2.4%, with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
24 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2023.
How do Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) ranks 20th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 13th 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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Least Developed Countries (LDCs) vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: 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/least-developed-countries-ldcs/united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland/

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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